Large-scale 3D wall printing: From concept to reality

This paper delves into the innovative realm of 3D wall printing, employing large-scale printers to construct walls layer by layer and aiming to revolutionize traditional house construction. The review comprehensively explores the properties of 3D printed walls in both fresh and hardened states, covering aspects like failure modes, quality control, mechanical and non-structural properties, seismic response, and reinforcement techniques. Taking a distinctive perspective, it draws parallels between 3D printing concrete and masonry structures, presenting them as a modernized version of traditional construction. Overlooking aspects like various wall cross-sections, connections to other structural elements (i.e., wall-to-wall, wall-to-roof, wall-to-foundation connections), nonstructural wall intersections, and reinforcement techniques are addressed, crucial for successful integration into large-scale projects. The review serves as a cautionary guide to researchers, shedding light on less-explored areas in large-scale 3D wall printing and providing insights for future research directions and potential codes and standards drawing inspiration from masonry walls.