Comparative analysis of mechanical performance in conventional and 3D-printed concrete

Abstract

This study presents a comparative review of the mechanical performance of conventionally cast concrete and 3D printed concrete. To assess variations in compressive, tensile, and flexural behaviour under different loading conditions, pertinent experimental data published in recent years were systematically analysed. Many studies indicate that conventional concrete generally exhibits higher compressive and tensile strengths than 3D-printed concrete, with reported reductions of 30–56% in the compressive strength of printed specimens. Papers note that 3D‐printed materials often exhibit marked anisotropy, with strength values varying significantly across different loading directions due to layer deposition and interlayer adhesion. In tensile tests, conventional mixes tend to outperform printed ones. However, incorporating fibres into 3D‐printed concrete can enhance ductility and, in some cases, yield up to a 100% increase in splitting tensile strength. Flexural performance shows greater variability: several studies document improvements of up to 282% in some ultra‐high performance, fibre-reinforced mixes, while others report reductions of approximately 20 to 22%.