Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites

Abstract 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular in the construction sector. 3D printing offers the potential to reduce costs, construction time and construction waste. However, due to its high cement content, 3D printable concrete more expensive to produce. The article includes a brief literat...

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Main Authors: Martyna Nieświec, Adrian Chajec, Branko Šavija
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02996-8
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author Martyna Nieświec
Adrian Chajec
Branko Šavija
author_facet Martyna Nieświec
Adrian Chajec
Branko Šavija
author_sort Martyna Nieświec
collection DOAJ
description Abstract 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular in the construction sector. 3D printing offers the potential to reduce costs, construction time and construction waste. However, due to its high cement content, 3D printable concrete more expensive to produce. The article includes a brief literature survey on the possibility of using cement and aggregate substitutes in concrete mixtures and their impact on fresh composite properties and identifies a research gap. Herein, we propose the use of waste copper slag as a replacement for cement in 3D printable concrete. We examine the effect of replacing cement with copper slag at 5 and 10% on fresh properties of cementitious mortar. The results show that copper slag improves the workability of the mixture and lowers the design yield strength up to 44%, thereby facilitating printing. Even 30% higher fresh compressive strengths were also obtained, which suggest that the buildability of mortars containing copper slag will be improved.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-d972cd6013e340f8a5256ac8d870dc3c2025-08-20T01:53:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-02996-8Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious compositesMartyna Nieświec0Adrian Chajec1Branko Šavija2Department of Materials Engineering and Construction Processes, Wroclaw University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Materials Engineering and Construction Processes, Wroclaw University of Science and TechnologyFaculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of TechnologyAbstract 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular in the construction sector. 3D printing offers the potential to reduce costs, construction time and construction waste. However, due to its high cement content, 3D printable concrete more expensive to produce. The article includes a brief literature survey on the possibility of using cement and aggregate substitutes in concrete mixtures and their impact on fresh composite properties and identifies a research gap. Herein, we propose the use of waste copper slag as a replacement for cement in 3D printable concrete. We examine the effect of replacing cement with copper slag at 5 and 10% on fresh properties of cementitious mortar. The results show that copper slag improves the workability of the mixture and lowers the design yield strength up to 44%, thereby facilitating printing. Even 30% higher fresh compressive strengths were also obtained, which suggest that the buildability of mortars containing copper slag will be improved.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02996-83D printable mortarCopper slagSustainabilityFresh state compressive strengthWorkabilitySlug test
spellingShingle Martyna Nieświec
Adrian Chajec
Branko Šavija
Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
Scientific Reports
3D printable mortar
Copper slag
Sustainability
Fresh state compressive strength
Workability
Slug test
title Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
title_full Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
title_fullStr Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
title_full_unstemmed Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
title_short Effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
title_sort effect of ground copper slag on the fresh properties of 3d printed cementitious composites
topic 3D printable mortar
Copper slag
Sustainability
Fresh state compressive strength
Workability
Slug test
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02996-8
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