Effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties, and resulting extrudability and constructability of three-dimensional printing mortar

doi:10.1007/s11709-023-0999-1

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (9) : 1295-1309 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-023-0999-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties, and resulting extrudability and constructability of three-dimensional printing mortar

Peng ZHI¹, Yu-Ching WU¹(

), Timon RABCZUK²

¹. Department of Structural Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
². Institute of Structural Mechanics, Bauhaus University of Weimar, Weimar 99423, Germany

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Abstract

Extrudability and constructability are two important, yet contradictory issues pertaining to the construction of three-dimensional (3D) printing concrete. Extrudability is easily achieved when 3D printing cement mortar has a high water content and low cohesion, but the printed structure is easily collapsible. However, a 3D printing cement mortar with a low water content and high cohesion has a relatively stable printed structure although the cement mortar might not be extrudable. This study proposes a particle-based method to simulate 3D printing mortar extrusion and construction as an overall planning tool for building design. First, a discrete element model with time-varying liquid bridge forces is developed to investigate the microscopic effects of these forces on global rheological properties. Next, a series of numerical simulations relevant to 3D printable mortar extrudability and constructability are carried out. The study demonstrates that the effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties and the resulting extrudability and constructability of 3D printing mortar are considerable. Furthermore, an optimized region that satisfies both the extrusion and construction requirements is provided for 3D printing industry as a reference.

Keywords particle-based simulation liquid bridge force rheological property 3D printing mortar extrudability constructability

Corresponding Author(s): Yu-Ching WU

Just Accepted Date: 04 July 2023 Online First Date: 27 November 2023 Issue Date: 21 December 2023

Cite this article:

Peng ZHI,Yu-Ching WU,Timon RABCZUK. Effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties, and resulting extrudability and constructability of three-dimensional printing mortar[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2023, 17(9): 1295-1309.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-023-0999-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2023/V17/I9/1295

Tab.1 Classification of the simulation techniques of cement-based media

Fig.1 Multiscale framework for 3D printed cement-based materials.

Fig.2 Liquid bridge model between particles i and j.

Fig.3 Lagrangian particle technique used to simulate 3D printing mortar construction at the micrometer scale.

Fig.4

Fig.5

property	item	data
liquid bridge properties	liquid bridge volume	7.42 × 10^–10 m³
	damping coefficient for the capillary phase	0.5
	surface tension $γ$	2.0–16.0 N/m
	contact angle	45°
particle properties	Poisson’s ratio	0.25
	density	2000 kg/m³
	contact friction angle	80°
	contact time	0.005 s
	restitution coefficient in normal direction	0.1
	restitution coefficient in tangential direction	0.1

Tab.2 Material properties

Fig.6 Numerical experiment results using particle-based technique proposed in this study.

Fig.7 Parameters C and ? determine the size and shape of elastic region.

Fig.8 Material transition from a liquid to a solid at the macroscopic scale, which is dependent on three key parameters (elastic modulus E, yield strength σ_y, and cohesion coefficient C).

Fig.9 Relationship between the liquid bridge surface tension parameter and yield stress.

Fig.10 Size of numerical uniaxial compression test.

Fig.11 Results of numerical uniaxial compression test.

Fig.12 Relationship between E and

γ

Fig.13 (a) Schematic of shearing test; (b) process of numerical shearing test.

Fig.14 Numerical shearing test results.

Tab.3 Open-up testing parameters

Fig.15 Simulation results at five different hardening rates.

Fig.16 Relationship between the hardening rate and critical surface tension force.

Fig.17 Multi-layer printing process.

Fig.18 Change in cross section after printing each layer (unit: mm).

Fig.19 Height and width of the multi-layer printed cross sections: (a) relationship between the total height of the cross section, R_h, and number of layers; (b) relationship between the maximum width of the cross section, R_hw, and number of layers.

Fig.20 Cross-sectional projection and side view after printing of each layer in two cases: (a) lower limit of constructability; (b) upper limit of constructability.

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