UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 2 Research Projects

Project Number: CY2-OU-10
Project Title: Phase-II: Addressing Durability Concerns in Binders with Interlayer Reinforcement for 3D Printed Elements
Performing Institution: University of Oklahoma
Principal Investigator: Shreya Vemuganti
Consultants: Royce Floyd, University of Oklahoma; Mahmoud Reda Taha and Daniel Heras Murcia, University of New Mexico
Proposed Start and End Date: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025
Project Description: 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is one of the fastest emerging technologies and involves layer by layer building of a binder material with additives without the use of formworks while enabling the design freedom to produce complex structural geometries. To enable this technology to reach end use applications in construction such as printing large scale fail-safe concrete structural elements, the low tensile strength of concrete is to be overcome. With changing weather and seasonal alterations, the potential of durability issues rising and negatively impacting infrastructure is increasing. These structures are constantly subjected to environmental deterioration mechanisms affecting their durability and life. Moreover, lack of knowledge and data about durability of 3D printed reinforced concrete structures hinders the growth of this digital fabrication method to truly offer its advantages towards transportation.

Phase-I of this project titled “Durability Assessment of Binders with Interlayer Reinforcement for 3D Printed Elements” is under investigation to understand the effect of deterioration mechanisms such as chloride ingress and freeze and thaw on the mechanical performance, and flexural strength capacities of (a) cementitious binders with successive layers representing 3D printed elements, and (b) cementitious binders with different types of reinforcement incorporated at the interface between successive layers.

Phase-II proposes solutions to address the durability concerns assessed from preliminary investigations in Phase-I which are: (1) steel deterioration is higher when compared to deterioration in fiber reinforcement due to aggressive environments; (2) the reinforcement at the interface needs a protective barrier to prevent ingress; (3) a small portion of reinforcement extends out of the interface and is therefore exposed which needs additional protection. The objectives of Phase-II are to investigate two solutions that can potentially address the durability concerns of cementitious binders with different types of reinforcements incorporated at the interface between successive layers: (i) Investigate the suitability of polymer surface finishings for 3DCP with interlayer reinforcement, and (ii) Investigate the effect of a printed protective barrier using the same 3DCP mix around the reinforced 3DCP with sufficient design modification to create a strategic interface mismatch.
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