Can superabsorbent polymers be used as rheology modifiers for cementitious materials in the context of 3D concrete printing?

•Adding SAP increased dynamic yield stress and apparent viscosity of LC3 pastes.•Structural build-up and hydration of LC3 pastes were enhanced by the use of SAP.•Using SAP effectively mitigated the autogenous shrinkage of LC3 pastes for up to 7 days.•Compressive strength at 3, 7 and 28 days was decreased by increasing SAP dosage.•SAP could act as a promising rheology modifier for 3D concrete printing.