# A method for evaluating the printability of concrete in 3D-printed pavement

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to evaluate the printability of concrete for 3D-printed pavement using specific tests and a mini 3D printer.

## Contribution

A novel graded printability evaluation method for 3D printed pavement concrete using edge slump, shape-holding strength, and surface smoothness tests.

## Key findings

- The proposed method can quantitatively measure printability across different concrete mix designs.
- The evaluation method helps assess if concrete mix proportions meet 3D printing requirements.
- A mini 3D printer was used to validate the effectiveness of the evaluation method.

## Abstract

The purpose of this study is to address the limitation that quality control methods of pavement concrete do not account for the printability evaluation of 3D printed pavement concrete. Based on the edge slump test, shape-holding strength test and surface smoothness test, the graded evaluation indicators for the printability of 3D printed pavement concrete were established. To validate the proposed printability evaluation method, a laboratory mini-3D printed paving device was designed. The laboratory results indicate that the edge slump evaluation, shape-holding strength evaluation, and surface smoothness evaluation can quantitatively measure the printability of cement concrete with various mix designs and assess whether the mix proportions of concrete meet the requirements of 3D printed pavement concrete. Additionally, the findings also show that the proposed evaluation method can provide guidance for the optimization of the mix proportions used for 3D printed pavement concrete.•Edge slump, shape-holding strength, and surface smoothness tests are used to develop graded printability evaluation indicators for 3D printed pavement.•A laboratory mini 3D printed paver is designed to validate the proposed evaluation method.•The evaluation method quantitatively measures printability across concrete mix designs.

Edge slump, shape-holding strength, and surface smoothness tests are used to develop graded printability evaluation indicators for 3D printed pavement.

A laboratory mini 3D printed paver is designed to validate the proposed evaluation method.

The evaluation method quantitatively measures printability across concrete mix designs.

Image, graphical abstract