TY - JOUR
T1 - Development of green 3D printable cementitious composites using multi-response optimisation method
AU - Rahman, Mahfuzur
AU - An, Dong
AU - Rawat, S.
AU - Yang, Richard (Chunhui)
AU - Zhang, Y. X.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - 3D printing is a new but one of the most sustainable and revolutionary manufacturing technologies for the construction sector. The printability relies on fresh properties; hence, effective mix design requires a systematic optimisation approach. This paper, for the first time, develops a green and 3D printable cementitious composite (3DP-CC) employing the Taguchi-based TOPSIS optimisation method, and a high volume of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is used, in replacement of cement, which has been commonly used in 3DP-CC. The developed optimisation material design method and 3D printing materials consider nine performance criteria encompassing fresh and mechanical properties and sustainability aspects, including flowability, buildability, mini-slump, deformation, weighted mini-slump, 1-day and 28-day compressive strength, flexural strength, and CO2emission rate. Three factors, each with three control levels, are analysed, including GGBFS content (50 %, 60 %, 70 %), superplasticiser (SP) dosage (4, 5, 6 L/m³ of mortar), and viscosity modifying agent (VMA) dosage (4, 8, 12 L/m³ of mortar). The mix, with 60 % GGBFS content, SP dosage and VMA dosage of 5 L/m³ and 8 L/m³ is determined to be the optimal mix via using the devised optimisation method, and the optimal mix design is validated by 3D printing, demonstrating favourable printability performance.
AB - 3D printing is a new but one of the most sustainable and revolutionary manufacturing technologies for the construction sector. The printability relies on fresh properties; hence, effective mix design requires a systematic optimisation approach. This paper, for the first time, develops a green and 3D printable cementitious composite (3DP-CC) employing the Taguchi-based TOPSIS optimisation method, and a high volume of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is used, in replacement of cement, which has been commonly used in 3DP-CC. The developed optimisation material design method and 3D printing materials consider nine performance criteria encompassing fresh and mechanical properties and sustainability aspects, including flowability, buildability, mini-slump, deformation, weighted mini-slump, 1-day and 28-day compressive strength, flexural strength, and CO2emission rate. Three factors, each with three control levels, are analysed, including GGBFS content (50 %, 60 %, 70 %), superplasticiser (SP) dosage (4, 5, 6 L/m³ of mortar), and viscosity modifying agent (VMA) dosage (4, 8, 12 L/m³ of mortar). The mix, with 60 % GGBFS content, SP dosage and VMA dosage of 5 L/m³ and 8 L/m³ is determined to be the optimal mix via using the devised optimisation method, and the optimal mix design is validated by 3D printing, demonstrating favourable printability performance.
KW - 3D printable cementitious composites
KW - Cementitious composites
KW - Mix design
KW - Multi-response material optimisation
KW - Sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105017955160&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05360
DO - 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05360
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105017955160
SN - 2214-5095
VL - 23
JO - Case Studies in Construction Materials
JF - Case Studies in Construction Materials
M1 - e05360
ER -
