This webinar is Part 3 of a five-part series on Additive Construction by Concrete Extrusion, an emerging technology involving 3D printed concrete and its application in concrete construction. Based on the forthcoming ACI 564 Emerging Technology Report on 3D Printed Concrete, the series follows the report’s chapter sequence to introduce key topics such as foundational terminology, processing platforms, printable materials, quality control, case studies, and future research needs. Each webinar focuses on selected chapters and provides a structured overview of current knowledge, practical considerations, and ongoing developments in additive construction by concrete extrusion.
Part 3 webinar covers Chapter 3, Processing Platforms, of the upcoming ACI 564 Emerging Technology Report. This webinar will discuss processing platforms for additive construction of cement-based materials, including cement paste, mortar, and concrete, across scales from small-scale benchtop systems to large-scale robotic and gantry platforms. At small scale, gantry-based desktop platforms have been used to print cement paste and mortar. At larger laboratory scale, robotic arms have been used with one-stage or two-stage processing platforms, where two-stage systems enable secondary mixing of a set accelerant during extrusion. Laboratory-scale delta printers have also been developed, while at commercial construction scale both gantry and robotic platforms have been used, with gantry systems offering greater scalability.