Factors affecting the flexural performance of reinforced 3D printed concrete beams
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) as a means of delivering direct digital construction manufacturing has potential for widespread adoption. However, it is currently limited because of the lack of understanding of the performance of structural elements manufacturing with the process. The layer-wise fabrication process of 3DCP enables the placement of reinforcement between printed layers, however, because the wet material supports the placed reinforcement, the final position depends on the fresh properties of wet material. In addition, toolpath strategies influence the cross-sectional geometry and concrete anisotropic compressive strength. Understanding the relative importance of these factors as they relate to the mechanical performance of the printed concrete is important, although, there is a lack of published studies in this area. This study addresses this gap by conducting three-point bending tests on twelve beams with varying reinforcement positions and toolpath strategies. The results demonstrate that the orientation of the toolpath, and hence anisotropy, can be neglected for the cases explored and the variation in cross-sectional geometry, has minimal impact on the flexural performance. Moreover, when the toolpath orientation is perpendicular to the steel reinforcement, the risk of shear and delamination failure is reduced, as cracks align with the vertical interface, thus promoting preferential flexural cracking. The position of the steel reinforcement is the most significant factor, and critically for manufacture, this depends on which layer the reinforcement is added: placed closer to the top of the beam increases effective depth and hence increases flexural resistance but reduces the thickness of concrete cover.
Source: Engineering Structures
Institution: Loughborough University
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,620
OpenAlex ID: W4410195871