Additive Manufacturing as an Alternative to Core Sampling in Concrete Strength Assessment
Anop D. Sadenova M. Beisekenov N. Rudenko O. Aubakirova Z. Jexembayeva A.
July 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
2025#15Issue 14
Featured Application: The workflow developed in this study enables construction teams to verify the in situ compressive strength of 3D-printed concrete elements without drilling cores. By pairing routine cube tests with a data-driven conversion factor, practitioners can obtain rapid, noninvasive strength estimates, streamline quality-control procedures, and integrate 3D printing into digital construction and automated documentation platforms. Additive manufacturing reshapes concrete construction, yet routine strength verification of printed elements still depends on destructive core sampling. This study evaluates whether standard 70 mm cubes—corrected by a single factor—can provide an equally reliable measure of in situ compressive strength. Five Portland-cement mixes, with and without ash-slag techno-mineral filler, were extruded into wall blocks on a laboratory 3D printer. For each mix, the compressive strengths of the cubes and ∅ 28 mm drilled cores were measured at 7, 14 and 28 days. The core strengths were consistently lower than the cube strengths, but their ratios remained remarkably stable: the transition coefficient clustered between 0.82 and 0.85 (mean 0.83). Ordinary least-squares regression of the pooled data produced the linear relation (Formula presented.) [MPa] = 0.97 (Formula presented.) − 4.9, limiting the prediction error to less than 2 MPa (under 3% across the 40–300 MPa range) and outperforming more complex machine-learning models. Mixtures containing up to 30% ash-slag filler maintained structural-grade strength while reducing clinker demand, underscoring their sustainability potential. The results deliver a simple, evidence-based protocol for non-destructive strength assessment of 3D-printed concrete and provide quantitative groundwork for future standardisation of quality-control practices in additive construction.
3D concrete printing , additive manufacturing , cementitious composites , compressive strength , core testing , low-carbon concrete , sustainable concrete
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D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070004, Kazakhstan
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
Department of Construction Materials and Technologies, A. Saginov Karaganda Technical University, Karaganda, 100000, Kazakhstan
] Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
Graduate School of Science and Technology
Department of Construction Materials and Technologies
] Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering
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