Webinar Description
Hosted by: ACerS Cements Division
Tuesday, February 3, 2026; 1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern US time
Sponsored by the ACerS Cements Division, the February webinar will feature one speaker: From Rheological Requirements to Eco-Efficient Mix Design in 3D Printed Cement-Based Materials
Description
From Rheological Requirements to Eco-Efficient Mix Design in 3D Printed Cement-Based Materials
3D printing of cement-based materials has emerged as an innovative technology within the construction sector, enabling a high degree of geometric freedom, process automation, and the potential reduction of material waste. However, achieving adequate material performance throughout the different stages of the printing process, i.e.: pumping, extrusion, deposition, and layer buildability, imposes stringent and often conflicting rheological requirements. As a consequence, a significant portion of the formulations reported in the literature relies on high binder contents, leading to substantial environmental impacts. In addition, economic aspects related to mixture design cannot be overlooked, particularly those associated with the use of chemical admixtures aimed at rheological adjustment and accelerated structural build-up after deposition.
In this webinar, the fundamentals of 3D printing of cement-based materials will first be introduced, with emphasis on the distinction between 1K and 2K systems, and their implications for the rheological and kinetic control of printable mixtures. A critical review of recent literature will then be discussed, highlighting the high average binder consumption in 3D printing formulations and the limited adoption of eco-efficiency-oriented design approaches.
The presentation will further address the different rheological conditions expected throughout the printing process, emphasizing the need to understand the material as an evolving system in which parameters such as yield stress, viscosity, thixotropy, structural build-up, and open time play distinct roles at each stage. To this end, key concepts of rheology and rheometry applied to cementitious suspensions will be discussed, along with fresh-state characterization methods designed to reproduce, in a controlled manner, the real mechanical solicitations imposed during the 3D printing process.
Finally, formulation strategies aimed at reducing binder consumption will be presented, based on the principles of efficient particle dispersion, optimized granular packing, and particle mobility. These approaches enable the development of eco-efficient cement-based compositions tailored to the requirements of 3D printing, promoting the use of local materials and improving the economic feasibility of the mixtures. It is emphasized that the success of such strategies relies on a thorough understanding of the physical, chemical, and rheological characteristics of each constituent, as well as their interactions within the cementitious system.
Biography
Cesar Romano, Senior Researcher, University of São Paulo
Cesar Romano is a senior researcher at the University of São Paulo, with expertise in applied rheology, Portland cement chemistry, and the development of eco-efficient cement-based materials for additive manufacturing. He holds a degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil) and a Master’s degree in Materials Engineering, during which he developed an alternative processing route for producing ceramics with controlled porosity based on the injection of stable foams. He earned his PhD in Civil Construction from the University of São Paulo and completed postdoctoral research focused on the design of eco-efficient cementitious compositions, emphasizing binder reduction and the use of residues and tailings from mining-related processes.
Throughout his academic trajectory, his work has been strongly shaped by an interdisciplinary approach, integrating concepts from chemistry, materials science, rheology, and processing. This perspective has proven essential for understanding the multiple, and often contrasting, requirements imposed on cement-based materials, particularly in the context of 3D printing. By combining fundamental knowledge with process-oriented thinking, his current research focuses on the development of eco-efficient printable compositions based on particle dispersion, packing, and mobility, enabling the use of local materials while meeting the rheological demands of additive manufacturing.
Registration
ACerS member: no cost
ACerS GGRN and Material Advantage student member: no cost
Non-member: no cost
Non-member student: no cost
If you have any questions, please contact Vicki Evans.
This webinar is brought to you by the ACerS Cements Division. To view past ACerS webinars, click here.
