3D Concrete Printing – from Mechanical Properties to Structural Analysis

Abstract

Facing growing problems such as rising prices and shortage of skilled workers, additive manufacturing with concrete offers a promising solution for the construction industry. Increasing productivity through automated processes and reducing environmental impact by exploiting the novel geometric freedom as well as the use of sustainable printing materials are just some of the many advantages of the new construction technology. In order to establish concrete printing as a construction method for larger-scale structures, extensive research is required. From a structural engineering perspective, the basic printing methods, extrusion and particle bed, each with or without reinforcing elements, lead to structural behavior that differs from conventional structural concrete as their layer-by-layer production results in anisotropic material characteristics. While the focus of international research is mainly on mastering the printing process and the fresh or hardened concrete properties on small specimens, this study aims to propose a verification method for printed structural members that are primarily loaded by compressive forces. Recent studies on printed unreinforced large-sized structural members are evaluated and design concepts based on current standardization for unreinforced concrete and masonry walls are compared. Based on the results, their application for printed wall segments for the verification of load-bearing capacity is discussed to initiate standardization.