How were these Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials research gaps identified?

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Engineering · Research topic

Open research questions in Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials

136 gap statements mined from Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,420 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

Limited studies on the regulation mechanism of emulsions on rheological properties of cement-based materials. Lack of understanding of the microscopic action mechanism of emulsions in cement mortar. Need for systematic investigation of the influence of core-shell emulsion admixture on cement mortar rheology.
Study on the Influence Mechanism of Core–Shell Emulsion Admixture on Rheological Properties of Cement Mortar · 2026 · DOI
Limited adaptability for complex rheological materials. High cost and limited accessibility of advanced research platforms. Lack of standardized process control across platforms.
Design and Development of a Laboratory-Scale 3D Printing Platform for Sustainable Construction Materials Using Model-Based Systems Engineering · 2026 · DOI
Limited adaptability of existing 3D printing platforms for sustainable construction materials. Gap between laboratory-scale experimentation and industrial construction applications. Lack of standardized process control across platforms.
Design and Development of a Laboratory-Scale 3D Printing Platform for Sustainable Construction Materials Using Model-Based Systems Engineering · 2026 · DOI
There is a need for a quantitative assessment of the effects of technological factors on the interlayer bond strength of 3D-printed concrete. Prior work has not fully addressed the relationship between the interlayer bond strength and the investigated technological factors.
Influence of Technological Factors on the Interlayer Bond Strength of 3D-Printed Concrete · 2026 · DOI
Layer-by-layer settlement, interlayer gaps, and longitudinal section profiles were not measured during printing. Systematic geometric monitoring should follow once setting acceleration and the printing process are sufficiently repeatable.
3D-Printed Geopolymer Composite Truss Beam: Experimental Verification of Manufacturing and Load-Bearing Capacity in Four-Point Bending · 2026 · DOI
Future tests should record mixture temperature, ambient conditions, mixing time, open-head refill level, travel speed, spindle speed/power, bead geometry, layer settlement/gaps, and any accelerator or heating input. The mix must also tolerate ordinary variation in temperature, humidity, and timing rather than depend on narrowly controlled laboratory conditions.
3D-Printed Geopolymer Composite Truss Beam: Experimental Verification of Manufacturing and Load-Bearing Capacity in Four-Point Bending · 2026 · DOI
The need to balance workability, printability, and mechanical performance in self-compacting geopolymer concrete for 3DCP. The challenge of maintaining self-compacting flow while incorporating coarse aggregate in 3DCP mixes. The problem of pipe blockage, nozzle wear, and disturbed filament profile caused by coarse particles in 3DCP.
Self-compacting geopolymer concrete for 3D concrete printing: rheological requirements, mix design challenges, and future prospects · 2026 · DOI
The MSWIBA was heterogeneous and needed to be milled before it could be utilized as a starting point for the formulation of the geopolymer binder. The incorporation of MSWIBA has led to a reduction in hardened properties at higher concentrations. The need to balance the interaction of fly ash, GGBS, and MSWIBA to achieve enhanced printability.
Sustainable Construction by Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration - Bottom Ash (MSWIBA) as Material for Developing One-Part 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete · 2026 · DOI
The challenges identified include data availability, standardization, and real-world implementation in 3DCP. The study also identifies the challenge of tackling the issue of data scarcity in 3DCP research. The challenges include the need for efficient forecasting of evolving scholarly directions and future research trajectories.
Artificial intelligence driven transformation of 3D concrete printing in architecture: a systematic review · 2026 · DOI
The lack of a symbiotic relationship between human habitats and natural ecosystems. The need for a new approach to foster sustainable urban development and enhance social sustainability and environmental resilience. The absence of a principled framework for urban transformation using earth-based materials and bioreceptive surfaces.
Unlocking resilience and sustainability with earth-based materials: a principled framework for urban transformation · 2024 · DOI
Early-age deformation is a major limitation on the buildability of extrusion-based 3D-printed concrete because each deposited layer must carry increasing self-weight while hydration, thixotropic rebuilding, stiffness, and strength are still evolving.
Computational Algorithms for Early-Age Creep and Buildability Prediction in Extrusion-Based 3D Concrete Printing: A Critical Survey · 2026 · DOI
3D printing concrete technology has gained significant attention for its mold-free construction and precision molding capabilities, yet its application in underwater environments remains underexplored.
Experimental Assessment on Printing Performance and Mechanical Properties of Underwater Self-Protecting 3D Printing Concrete · 2025 · DOI
In that paper, we analyse in detail the energy consumption of printing robots, which has not yet been thoroughly investigated in the context of 3D printing building applications.
Modelling, Analysis and Comparison of Robot Energy Consumption for Three-Dimensional Concrete Printing Technology · 2024 · DOI
The formwork system plays a critical role in RC construction, but conventional temporary formworks have limitations. The design of permanent formwork systems needs to balance structural, economic, and environmental objectives.
A Multi-objective Optimization-based Novel Design Framework for Permanent Formwork-integrated Reinforced Concrete Beams balancing Structural, Economic, and Environmental Criteria · 2026 · DOI
The design of permanent formwork systems needs to be optimized for better performance and reduced environmental impact. There is a lack of comprehensive frameworks for designing RC beams with integrated precast permanent formwork.
A Multi-objective Optimization-based Novel Design Framework for Permanent Formwork-integrated Reinforced Concrete Beams balancing Structural, Economic, and Environmental Criteria · 2026 · DOI
Moderate increases in both strength and stiffness with rising water content, potentially due to improved particle bonding and reduced dry regions, were partially masked by statistical variation and the limited sample size.
Quantifying water-driven geometric uncertainties in powder bed concrete printing using high-resolution 3D modeling · 2026
The sample size was limited, with only three replicate specimens. The study only considered a specific type of 3DPC component. The study did not investigate the effect of other parameters on the optimisation results.
Concurrent Topology and Orientation Optimisation of 3D-Printed Concrete Under Drucker–Prager Strength Constraints: Numerical and Experimental Validation · 2026 · DOI
Investigate the effect of other parameters on the optimisation results. Apply the proposed framework to other types of 3DPC components. Conduct more experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Concurrent Topology and Orientation Optimisation of 3D-Printed Concrete Under Drucker–Prager Strength Constraints: Numerical and Experimental Validation · 2026 · DOI
Existing functionally graded concrete structures are prone to weak interfacial zones due to sequential casting. The use of advanced materials throughout the entire structural cross section is often cost-prohibitive.
Method for Improving Interfacial Bonding Performance of Functionally Graded Concrete: A Molding Technique Based on Frozen Mortar Transition Layer · 2026 · DOI
The study used a non-probability sampling approach, - The study had a small sample size of 40 personnel, - Many construction robot technologies remain at the research, development, or demonstration stage, - Evidence of repeated deployment on actual construction sites remains…
An Empirical Study of Factors Associated with Construction Robot Adoption Prospects Among Personnel in Small-Sized Construction Firms · 2026 · DOI
Further studies could investigate the effects of construction robot adoption on different construction trades, - Research could focus on developing and demonstrating robot-based automation technologies for construction sites, - Studies could examine the impact of institutional frameworks and safety standards on construction robot…
An Empirical Study of Factors Associated with Construction Robot Adoption Prospects Among Personnel in Small-Sized Construction Firms · 2026 · DOI
Coarse particles create problems in pumping and nozzle extrusion - The absence of coarse aggregate in printed mixes has important consequences for both fresh and hardened performance - Limited to mortar-scale mixes using only fine sand…
Self-compacting geopolymer concrete for 3D concrete printing: rheological requirements, mix design challenges, and future prospects · 2026 · DOI
The study only explores the usage of MSWIBA as a precursor for geopolymer mixtures, - The research is limited to the evaluation of the fresh and hardened characteristics of 3D printable MSWIBA geopolymer concrete, - The study does not investigate the long-term durability of the 3D printed geopolymer…
Sustainable Construction by Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration - Bottom Ash (MSWIBA) as Material for Developing One-Part 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete · 2026 · DOI
Further research is needed to address the challenges related to data availability, standardization, and real-world implementation in 3DCP, - Investigating the application of AI in optimizing 3DCP, - Examining the potential of AI to reduce material usage, improve printability, and automate quality control…
Artificial intelligence driven transformation of 3D concrete printing in architecture: a systematic review · 2026 · DOI
Further studies to optimize the use of PP fibre reinforcement in 3D-printed concrete, - Research on the effect of printing parameters on PP fiber-reinforced 3DPC, - Exploration of hybrid fibre systems, - Development of standardized testing…
Recent Advancements in Polypropylene Fibre-Reinforced 3D-Printed Concrete: Insights into Mix Ratios, Testing Procedures, and Material Behaviour · 2025 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials

Fresh and hardened properties of 3D printable cementitious materials for building and construction · Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering · 2017 · 561 citations
Large-scale 3D printing concrete technology: Current status and future opportunities · Cement and Concrete Composites · 2021 · 527 citations
Mix design concepts for 3D printable concrete: A review · Cement and Concrete Composites · 2021 · 411 citations
Sustainable materials for 3D concrete printing · Cement and Concrete Composites · 2021 · 309 citations
Fiber orientation effects on ultra-high performance concrete formed by 3D printing · Cement and Concrete Research · 2021 · 300 citations
Cements in the 21 st century: Challenges, perspectives, and opportunities · Journal of the American Ceramic Society · 2017 · 260 citations
Thixotropic structural build-up of cement-based materials: A state-of-the-art review · Cement and Concrete Composites · 2021 · 255 citations
Influence of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and silica fume on stability, rheological properties, and printability of 3D printing foam concrete · Cement and Concrete Composites · 2021 · 255 citations
Technology readiness: A global snapshot of 3D concrete printing and the frontiers for development · Cement and Concrete Research · 2022 · 253 citations
Effect of polyethylene fiber content on workability and mechanical-anisotropic properties of 3D printed ultra-high ductile concrete · Construction and Building Materials · 2021 · 248 citations

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What the literature leaves open

Most-cited papers in Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials

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