Steel fibers in 3D-printed concrete: a brief review of feasibility and research gaps
Justyna Stec¹* (orcid id: 0009-0005-6662-075X),
Seweryn Malazdrewicz¹ (orcid id: 0000-0001-5410-9077),
Hassan Abdolpour¹ (orcid id: 0000-0002-8217-6012),
Paweł Niewiadomski¹ (orcid id: 0000-0002-0646-3036),
Harald Kloft² (orcid id: 0000-0003-4891-869X),
Bartłomiej Sawicki² (orcid id: 0000-0002-5632-3461)
¹ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
² Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
Article (PDF)
Abstract:
Ultra high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is an advanced
cementitious material characterized by exceptional mechanical properties and durability, making it
a prom- ising candidate for application in 3D printing technologies. The integration of UHPFRC with
additive manufacturing offers significant potential for the development of complex, efficient, and
customized structural elements in modern construction. This study aims to provide a lit- erature
review on application of UHPFRC in 3D printing, with particular emphasis on the material jetting
technique of Shotcrete 3D Printing (SC3DP). The review focuses on material properties,
printability, and the influence of steel fibers on both fresh and hardened perfor- mance. The
analysis indicates that UHPFRC demonstrates strong potential for Shotcrete 3D Printing, offering
advantages such as improved adaptability and interlayer bonding compared to extrusion-based
methods. However, the incorporation of steel fibers introduces challenges related to rheology
and pumpability. From an environmental perspective, UHPFRC may enhance material efficiency
and reduce resource consumption, although the lack of standard- ized mix design guidelines and
limited comparative studies highlight the need for further research.
Keywords: concrete, steel fibers, shotcrete-based 3D printing, extrusion-based 3D printing,
sustainable construction
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