Additive manufacturing of clay and ceramic building components

Additive manufacturing techniques, which have been constantly evolving over the past 30 years, have also reached the construction sector, which is often slow in response to innovations. Technologies for the creation of 3D-printed concrete- or steel-structures are experiencing a market launch through the creation of the first printed buildings and bridges. Even though a variety of additive processing methods for ceramic masses have yet been researched, the state of research in the field of ceramic 3D printing for construction applications is lagging behind. This review focuses on the comparison of work in this field completed until summer 2021, as well as to contextualize the topic in relation to 3D printing and ceramic building materials per se. Finally, the findings will be used to identify potentials and strategies that could help the research topic to develop further. • Additively manufactured ceramics, the main focus of the investigation. • Additively manufactured clay, comparable to ceramic components in terms of process, not in the criterion of ceramic materials due to the lack of subsequent firing. • computer-arranged ceramics, which differs from the aforementioned in so far that the bricks used as “raw material” are already available as semi-finished products.