Waste glass powder synergistic CO2 mixing 3D printed concrete

1188% improvement in buildability

Waste glass powder combined with CO2 mixing creates a synergistic effect that greatly enhances yield stress and early-age penetration resistance of 3D printed concrete, while improving interlayer bonding and reducing carbon footprint.

Li, Long · Shuaijie, Lu · Singh, A. · Lucen, Hao · Duan, Zhenhua · Zhang, Shipeng · Poon, Chi-Sun

Cement and Concrete Composites 2026

Specifications

Penetration resistance increase (30% WGP)

{'zh': '1188', 'en': '1188'} %

Penetration resistance increase (without WGP)

{'zh': '304', 'en': '304'} %

Advantages

Much better buildability

CO2 mixing increases yield stress and early-age penetration resistance, and waste glass powder amplifies this effect by releasing alkali ions and providing nucleation sites, enabling rapid shape stability after printing.

Better interlayer bonding

The combination of WGP and CO2 mixing effectively addresses interlayer bonding challenges, showing improved interfacial strength compared to either treatment alone.

Lower carbon footprint

Waste glass powder partially replaces cement, and CO2 is sequestered in the concrete, jointly reducing carbon emissions.

Applications

• Construction 3D printing materials：Resolves the pumpability-buildability conflict for stable printed elements.
• Sustainable building materials：Uses waste glass powder to replace cement and sequester CO2, cutting carbon emissions.
• Concrete technology：Synergistically enhances early strength and interlayer bonding via CO2 mixing and WGP.