Title:
Monitoring Buildability of 3DPC Using Ultrasonic Guided Wave
Author(s):
Geetanjali Chandam
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S25_GeetanjaliChandam.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/30/2025
Abstract:
Recent advancements in the 3D printing of concrete structures have highlighted its numerous advantages over traditional construction methods. However, ensuring quality during the printing stage remains essential to achieving optimal buildability. To address this, we propose the use of an ultrasonic guided wave technique for monitoring 3DPC during this critical phase. Guided wave techniques have been adopted for numerous studies of traditional concrete however the recent technology is yet to benefit from this technique. Two plates of different materials, i.e. aluminum and acrylic, were selected as waveguides. Piezoelectric (PZT) sensors with different center frequencies, i.e. 100 kHz, 200 kHz accordingly matched with the thickness of the wave guide were permanently mounted on these plates. The wave guides were then attached to the side of the lower layers of the 3DPC structure. This setup enables real-time monitoring of the development of stiffness for the 3DPC, based on the principle of energy loss due to wave leakage from the waveguide into the 3DPC. Experimental tests were conducted over a 2-hour period following the printing of the first layer. From the selected waveguides, acrylic was found to be more efficient to monitor the stiffness development of 3DPC even during this very early age. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between energy attenuation and the development of material stiffness over time, with a linear attenuation loss of up to 5 dB.