Dust Emissions from 3D Printing of Concrete

Abstract

The process of 3D printing concrete is a relatively new concept compared to traditional manufacturing and even novel techniques such as 3D printing using plastics and metal. A general concern in the construction industry is that of dust emissions during the process of mixing and applying concrete to workers in the vicinity. The study aimed to evaluate the critical stages of the 3D-printing of concrete process that led to dust emissions. PM2.5 concentrations were measured during the mixing, pumping, and printing stages of the process for both small-scale and large-scale printing. The study found that the mixing stage was the most critical stage and the maximum concentration of PM2.5 reached during this stage was 1600 µg/m^3 and 33000 µg/m^3 for the small-scale printer and the large-scale printer respectively. The pumping and the printing stage showed the lowest concentrations of 92 µg/m^3and 143 µg/m^3 for small-scale and large-scale printers respectively. The study suggests that adequate safety measures need to be implemented to protect workers and reduce the environmental impact during all stages of both small and large-scale printers as the measurements recorded in the laboratories were above 28 µg/m3, the allowable standard value of PM2.5 concentrations over a 24-hour period set by CAAQS. The findings of this study offer crucial insights into the health risks associated with the 3D-printing of concrete, highlighting the importance of taking appropriate safety measures to safeguard the well-being of workers and the environment.