Analysis of the Effect of Substituting Cement With Marble Powder on the Mortar Characteristics Used in 3D Printing

The aim of this research is to experimentally study the valorisation and recycling of cut and processing waste marble by partially substituting ce-ment in mortars during 3D printing in civil engineering. The case study con-cerns the use of Tunisian marble powder as a mineral material to replace ce-ment in the formulation of a printable cementitious material. The aim is to con-tribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint of mortars in addition to the ma-terial gains already provided by 3D printing. For that, cement was substituted with 15% marble powder by mass, investigating its impact on mortar properties. The study examined marble powder's particle morphology effects on printabil-ity and tested compressive/flexural strengths of different formulations. Results showed improved workability and short-term compressive strength with marble powder substitution. Utilizing marble powder as a cement substitute offers a sustainable solution, reducing cement consumption without loosing perfor-mance.