Verification of Integrated Mixing-Stirring-Extrusion Rapid 3D Printing Achieve Continuous Construction of Rapid-Setting Concrete

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2026.0014

Abstract

Abstract:

To address the conflict between the open time and setting time of rapid-setting cementitious materials caused by the “mix-then-convey process” in concrete 3D printing， as well as the consequent failure to meet the continuous construction requirements of building structures， this study adopted an independently developed integrated mixing-stirring-extrusion 3D printing device for rapid-setting concrete. With the innovative design of dual-pipeline separate delivery of dry materials and liquid， plus in-nozzle instant mixing， stirring and extrusion， this technical bottleneck was overcome. Taking rapid-setting magnesium phosphate cement （MPC） mortar as the printing material， this study systematically investigates the evolution law of the number of setting layers of printed components over time， as well as the dynamic matching relationship between the compressive strength of materials at the setting-unset interface （setting line） and the total self-weight stress of unset layers， so as to verify the feasibility of continuous construction of rapid-setting materials using this integrated process. The results show that there are always 4 to 7 unset layers above the set layers of MPC mortar printed components， and the number of unset layers gradually decreases with the progress of printing. The compressive strength of the printed layers at the setting line is always 25.6 times or more of the total self-weight stress of the unset layers， and the strength development rate was 26.7 times or more of the self-weight stress development rate of the unset layers. This indicates that the bottom set layers can continuously support the self-weight of the upper unset layers， confirming that the integrated mixing-stirring-extrusion 3D printing process enables rapid and continuous construction of MPC mortar. The research findings provide a reference for improving the 3D printing efficiency of rapid-setting cementitious materials and optimizing the printing process.

Key words: integrated mixing-stirring-extrusion rapid 3D printing, magnesium phosphate cement mortar, continuous construction, compressive strength, self-weight stress

CLC Number:

TU528

LI Weihong, DENG Yongjie, WANG Chaoying, ZHONG Jianjun, LYU Libo, MA Haiyan, YU Hongfa, LI Dongwei. Verification of Integrated Mixing-Stirring-Extrusion Rapid 3D Printing Achieve Continuous Construction of Rapid-Setting Concrete[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(8): 2699-2710.

Figures/Tables 18

Table 1 Main chemical composition of MgO， FA， and MK

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	MgO	SiO₂	CaO	Fe₂O₃	SO₃	Al₂O₃	TiO₂	NaO₃	K₂O	Loss
MgO	92.33	3.30	2.07	0.64	—	0.97	—	—	—	0.22
FA	1.71	51.97	6.27	5.27	1.46	28.77	1.66	—	—	2.89
MK	0.49	53.21	0.54	0.51	—	44.19	0.91	0.08	0.14	—

Table 2 Mix proportion of magnesium phosphate cement mortar

Component	MgO	KH₂PO₄	B	FA	MK	S
Mix proportion/（kg·m^-3）	417	283	29.2	250	50	1 000

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of printed specimen model and sampling

Fig.2 Test method of compressive strength of printed specimens

Fig.3 Comparison of printing process modes

Fig.4 Schematic diagram of integrated mixing-stirring-extrusion 3D printing nozzle device

Fig.5 Printed model and printing process diagram

Fig.6 Schematic diagram of coagulation test of material printing layer

Fig.7 Relationship between PT， SL， and NSL with time

Fig.8 Changes of SL and NSL with time

Table 3 Compressive strength of MPC mortar at each time point

T/min	σ_MT/kPa	T/min	σ_MT/kPa
3	46	17	2 230
4.5	61	19	2 530
6	97	21	3 030
8	208	24	3 250
10	316	27	4 180
12	647	30	4 960
15	1 950	33	5 510

Fig.9 Schematic diagram of calculation model and single-layer cross-section of printed component

Fig.10 Relationship between compressive strength of printing layer material at condensation line and total self-weight stress of uncondensed layer material with time

Table 4 Development rate of compressive strength of MPC mortar at each time point

T/min	（σ_MT/T）/（kPa·min^-1）	T/min	（σ_MT/T）/（kPa·min^-1）
3	15.3	17	131.2
4.5	13.6	19	133.2
6	16.2	21	144.3
8	26.0	24	135.4
10	31.6	27	154.8
12	53.9	30	165.3
15	130.0	33	167.0

Fig.11 Relationship between development rate of compressive strength of condensed layer and change of self-weight stress of uncondensed layer with time

Fig.12 Fitting relationship between compressive strength and time of printed specimens

Fig.13 Compressive strength of each layer of printing component and distribution of total self-weight stress of upper printing layer need to be supported

Fig.14 Relationship between height of each printing layer material and compressive strength with time

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