Title:
Eco-Friendly Support Materials for Reinforced Concrete 3D Printing
Author(s):
Mohammed Alnaggar
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S23_MohammedAlnaggar.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
4/2/2023
Abstract:
Automation in construction is inevitable and is actually past due. Yet, current technologies are simply copying from 3D printing techniques used for other materials instead of synthesizing a unique automation method for the most used building material in the world. As a result, all methods available use mortars or pastes, typically build walls and neither frames nor roofs, and usually with manually placed unidirectional reinforcement (if any). In this presentation, a recently developed novel concrete 3D printing technique is presented that provides the most needed element in any reinforced concrete construction, a temporary formwork that is 3D printable. The temporary formwork is 3D printed using clay-based mixtures that are 100% reusable, environmentally friendly, prevent early age drying, and provide support for concrete and reinforcement. Thus, even flowable cementitious materials can be easily 3D printed like Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). After concrete reaches a pre-determined degree of solidification, the formwork can be easily removed by peeling and/or water jetting and can be fully recycled and reused.