Title:
Fiber Reinforcement for 3-D Printed Cementitious Systems
Author(s):
Sooraj Nair
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/28/2021
Abstract:
One of the significant impediments in the development of 3D printing concrete is the complication arising from the need to pre-place reinforcement. Studies have attempted co-printing reinforcement (polymeric or steel) with concrete, but it is expected that the economy of scale will not be favorable for such an approach in the near term. This study hence attempts to judiciously use fiber and particulate reinforcement for 3D printed mortars. The inclusion type, content, and placement strategies are tuned to provide structural capabilities to 3D printed vertical sections. Rheological properties that influence printing are evaluated. While this strategy is less useful for horizontal members such as beams, it is expected that a majority of 3D-printed structural elements will be placed in a vertical configuration and thus this approach can be beneficial. Structural design aspects are also discussed.