Zone-based analysis of layer deformation in 3D concrete printing : shoulder, steady-state, and foot zones

3D concrete printing (3DCP) has introduced a paradigm shift in construction methodologies, necessitating a reevaluation of quality assessment measures that surpass those of traditional concrete processing. The intricacies of the printing process, characterized by variations in material behavior across different time frames and scales, demand a multifaceted approach to quality control. To address these complexities, quality indicators have been recently divided into three families: quality variation, transient material behavior and geometry. In this context, our paper contributes to the geometric conformity category by introducing three distinct zones within the 3DCP process: the shoulder, steady-state, and foot zones. By analyzing these zones, we aim to provide a simple feature-wise inspection method that predicts the deformation of the printed object, considering the interdependent dynamics of material mix parameters and printing process variables. This study provides an analytical framework for predicting these deformation zones, which helps advance quality control in 3DCP.