Towards full automation in 3D concrete printing construction: Development of an automated and inline sensor-printer integrated instrument for in-situ assessment of structural build-up and quality of concrete

The realization of full automation in 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) encounters numerous obstacles, notably the absence of automated and inline testing methodologies to measure the fresh properties at the construction site. To address this challenge, this study presents an automated sensor-printer integrated instrument with multifunctional capabilities of conducting penetration, compression, shear, and tensile tests in inline mode. The developed system is integrated with a 3D printer and controlled from the main station. To validate the instrument performance, it was used for inline penetromtery testing to measure the structural build-up of printed layers, and its results were correlated with the conventional compressive and shear strength tests. Additionally, the responsiveness of the instrument to the material variation was validated. This research represents a substantial advancement for in-situ characterization of structural build-up and quality control, while also showcasing its potential utility in mix design development. [Display omitted] •This study proposes a sensor-printer integrated tool for structural build-up assessment for 3DCP.•This tool is combined with 3D printer for simultaneous printing and inline testing.•The tool is switchable between penetration, compressive, shear and tensile test modes.•This inline tool can measure multiple fresh properties of 3D printing concrete.