Title:
Impact of GNPs on the Buildability of Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Additive Manufacturing
Author(s):
Michail Margas
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S25_MichailMargas.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/30/2025
Abstract:
Traditionally, 3D printable concrete should exhibit adequate storage modulus and fast yield strength evolution with time. Both these rheological parameters define the materials buildability. Polyethylene fibers (PE) have been routinely used in 3D printing concrete to improve tensile performance, however, blends with only PE fibers tend to be stiff limiting flow and printability. This study investigates the structural build-up behavior of cementitious blends reinforced with polyethylene (PE) fibers and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for 3D-printing applications. Oscillation-time sweep tests were employed to analyze the evolution of storage modulus, a key indicator of the material's elastic behavior, buildability, and resistance to deformation over time. While shear-mixed PE fibers at optimal mixing rate and duration result in a higher storage modulus and improved rheology, the addition of GNPs as an aid to enhance printability in additive manufacturing fiber reinforced cementitious blends significantly improves viscosity, yield stress and storage modulus; thus greatly improving the buildability at early stages. The synergistic action of dispersed PE fibers and GNPs ensures maximizing the reinforcing potential of the fibers and greatly enhances the buildability of the 3D printed cementitious composites.