Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper investigates the fundamental workability of 3D printed concrete materials incorporating different fiber types. Fluidity, extrudability, and buildability were proposed as key indicators for assessing printability, evaluated through corresponding test methods, including fluidity tests, filament extrusion tests, and slump tests. The results demonstrate that the optimal ranges for printability are superplasticizer content between 0.35% and 0.45%, accelerator content between 0.60% and 0.85%, and silica fume replacement level between 7.5% and 10%. The incorporation of copper-coated steel fibers led to deteriorated workability, manifested as reduced fluidity, increased fluidity loss over time, poor pumpability, discontinuous extrusion, and low slump, although buildability remained satisfactory. Polypropylene fibers increased the air content in concrete, thereby improving workability; they exhibited good extrusion continuity, appropriate slump and filament width, and favorable buildability. Basalt fibers significantly enhanced air content and workability. However, due to the high stiffness of the fibers, extrusion continuity was only moderate. While the slump and filament width were suitable, the presence of minor voids in the printed filaments resulted in average buildability.
Source: Fibers
DOI: 10.3390/fib14010001
Authors: Qunyi Huang, Qunyi Huang, Qingyu Huang, Qingyu Huang, Hong Yang, Jiahang Zhang, Yajie Wu
Institutions: Southwest Jiaotong University, Southeast University
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,413
Award: G1866738395
OpenAlex ID: W7116105773