Mechanical behavior and permeability properties of sustainable and high-performance anisotropic three-dimensional printable concrete

doi:10.1007/s11709-023-0962-1

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (11) : 1662-1674 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-023-0962-1

Mechanical behavior and permeability properties of sustainable and high-performance anisotropic three-dimensional printable concrete

Fatih ÖZALP(

)

Civil Engineering Department, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34700, Turkey

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Abstract

Three-dimensional printable concrete requires further development owing to the challenges encountered, including its brittle behavior, high cement requirement for the buildability of layers, and anisotropic behavior in different directions. The aim of this study is to overcome these challenges. First, three-dimensional printable concrete mixtures were prepared using silica fume, ground blast furnace slag, and metakaolin, instead of cement, to reduce the amount of cement. Subsequently, the rheological and mechanical behaviors of these concretes were investigated. Second, three-dimensional printable concrete mixtures were prepared using 6-mm-long steel and synthetic fibers to eliminate brittleness and determine the effect of those fibers on the anisotropic behavior of the concrete. As a result of this study, it is understood that printable concretes with extremely low permeability and high buildability can be achieved using mineral additives. In addition, results showed that three-dimensional concrete samples containing short steel fibers achieve fracture energies up to 36 times greater than that of plain concrete. Meanwhile, its characteristic length values, as indicators of ductility, are 22 times higher than those of plain concrete. The weakest strength was recorded at the interfaces between layers. The bending and splitting tensile strengths of three-dimensional printed plain concrete samples were 15% and 19% lower than those of casted samples, respectively. However, the addition of fibers improved the mechanical strength of the interfaces significantly.

Keywords three-dimensional concrete printing rheology high performance mineral additives anisotropy fiber

Corresponding Author(s): Fatih ÖZALP

Just Accepted Date: 14 November 2023 Online First Date: 10 January 2024 Issue Date: 24 January 2024

Cite this article:

Fatih ÖZALP. Mechanical behavior and permeability properties of sustainable and high-performance anisotropic three-dimensional printable concrete[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2023, 17(11): 1662-1674.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-023-0962-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2023/V17/I11/1662

Tab.1 Sieve analyses of aggregates

Tab.2 Properties of cement, SF, GGBS, MK, and siliceous aggregates used in current study

Tab.3 Materials used in concrete mixtures

Tab.4 Properties of straight steel fibers and polyamide fibers used in current study

test type	specimen	dimensions (mm)	parameters
compression	cube	h100/h70	$f c ′$ ^a) (MPa)
splitting	cube	h100/ h70	f_st^b) (MPa)
bending	beam	100 × 100 × 500/70 × 70 × 280	G_F^c) (N/m), f_flex^d) (MPa)
water permeability	disc, beam	Ø100, h50/70 × 70 × 280	k^e) (mm)
rapid chloride	disc	Ø100, h50	q^f) (C)

Tab.5 Test methods and specimen size (laboratory/printed and casted)

Tab.6 Fresh concrete test results

Fig.1 Pumpability and buildability zones of printable concrete.

Fig.2 Changes in slump values of the mixtures at the beginning and after 45 min.

Fig.3 Setup of the three-point bending test.

Fig.4 Preparation of 3D printed samples for testing using a diamond saw.

Fig.5 Flexural strength and compressive strength test setups for the measurement of anisotropy in printed concrete.

Fig.6 Permeability test setups of printed samples before they were cut using a diamond saw.

Tab.7 Test results of 3D printable concretes with mineral additives

Fig.7 Photographs of flexural tests in different directions prior to cutting using a diamond saw.

Tab.8 Fracture strength and permeability properties of fiber-reinforced and plain concretes

Fig.8 Load vs. displacement curves of tested concrete series.

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