A 3D printed structure is provided. The structure includes a composition formed from a mixture including an earth component, e.g., naturally occurring soil,
subsoil,
topsoil, clay, a clay-rich soil, sand,
silt, an engineered soil formed of sand and clay, etc.; at least one
fiber component, e.g., a bast or leaf
fiber, including
straw, wheat
straw,
rice straw, rice
husk, reed,
hay, hemp,
kenaf, banana,
sisal, fique, flax, jute, etc.; fluid component, e.g., water, oil, acid, etc.; and at least one additive component, e.g., a bio-based additive such as
cellulose, a polypeptide such as
gelatin, a
polysaccharide such as alginate,
guar gum,
locust bean gum,
chitosan, and
xanthan gum, and
lime, etc. The mixture includes a weight ratio of about 2-50 parts earth; about 5-50 parts
fiber; about 25-80 parts fluid; and about 0-10 parts additive. The mixture can be 3D printed into prefabricated building elements, e.g., block-like geometries, monolithic walls, panels, etc.