Applications and effectiveness of additive manufacturing in geotechnics - A systematic review
Year: 2025
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: One of the greatest challenges of rock and soil studies is acquiring a sufficient number of samples with adequate characteristics. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping, is an emerging technique that allows researchers to obtain an unlimited number of samples with the desired geometries and properties. Recent studies also indicate that rapid prototyping is better than the traditional methods to create micromodels. 3D printing is a vast field, with many possible techniques and materials. To better understand the benefits, limitations and applications of the current technology, this article did a systematic review of the literature published in recent years. The search was limited to documents published in English between 2014 and 2024. The only inclusion criterion applied was that the study 3D printed soil or rock analogues. After applying this criterion, and removing duplicates or non-relevant results, a total of 66 documents remained for review. It was possible to observe some printers are already able to reach the nanoscale accuracy and create pores at the natural scale. However, their printing time is significantly longer than other printers, and the material used is not suitable for replicating mechanical properties. Even so, printers able to reproduce mechanical and chemical characteristics are not yet capable of reaching that accuracy. It was possible to conclude that the current technology has its applications and is capable of being a useful tool in geotechnics. Nevertheless, there has to be further improvement in the printing technology for it to reach its full potential.
Source: Soils and Rocks
Institution: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Language: English
Subfield: Automotive Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413638286