A Bibliometrics of the Analysis Methods of 3D Printed Concrete Structures

Resumo

3D concrete printing (3DCP) has revolutionized the construction industry, allowing for the produc-tion of complex geometries with greater efficiency and sustainability. This is despite ongoing challenges with structural reliability and long-term performance, which are due to the material's anisotropic properties and layer interfaces.This study performed a bibliometric analysis of the literature on the structural analysis of 3DCP, using VOSviewer to identify research trends and gaps. The methodology included a keyword search in the Scopus database, which resulted in 108 selected articles after a rigorous screening process. The results in-dicate a significant increase in 3DCP research since 2018, with a projected peak of 40 articles published in 2025. A co-occurrence analysis of keywords revealed a concentration on "concretes," "concrete printings," and "finite element method," highlighting research into material failure and behavior. The 108 works, au-thored by 374 individuals, were distributed across 8 clusters, with 23 papers showing co-authorship. Maximil-iano Cremonesi, Liberato Ferrara, and Giacomo Rizzieri had the strongest collaborations between 2024 and 2025. China and the United States lead in publications, with 37 and 12 articles, respectively, and China also leads in collaborations with 14. The Journal of Building Engineering was the most relevant journal, with 11 publications. Despite these advancements, the study points to significant gaps, such as the need for more so-phisticated numerical models to simulate interlayer and multi-scale interactions. The integration of structural reinforcements and a better understanding of the long-term durability of 3DCP are also critical challenges. Furthermore, there is a major opportunity for research in multifunctional materials and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize design and predict performance, thereby boosting sus-tainability in 3DCP.