Research progress and hotspot analysis of 3D printing technology in mining engineering based on knowledge graph

In recent years, 3D printing technology has been progressively introduced into rock mechanics research related to mining engineering, thereby providing novel technical approaches for the structural reconstruction and mechanical analysis of complex coal–rock mass systems. Based on relevant Chinese and English literature published between 2015–2025 and indexed in the CNKI and Web of Science databases, a systematic review of research progress and emerging hotspots concerning the application of 3D printing in rock mechanics within mining engineering was conducted by using bibliometric analysis and visualization methods. By quantitatively analyzing publication characteristics, collaboration networks among authors and institutions, national distribution patterns, as well as keyword co-occurrence and clustering results, the underlying research structure and evolutionary trajectories of this field were comprehensively revealed. The results indicate that related studies have exhibited a sustained growth trend with progressive deepening over time. Specifically, research themes have gradually shifted from early explorations of material properties and printing process feasibility toward the reconstruction of complex jointed and fractured structures, the mechanical responses of coal–rock mass systems, and the analysis of crack initiation and propagation mechanisms. Furthermore, recent studies have increasingly extended to investigations of coupled seepage–mechanical behaviors during the loading processes of fractured coal–rock masses. In addition, multiscale structural characterization approaches, together with experimental techniques such as digital image correlation and CT scanning, have been extensively applied in this research domain.