Application of Textile Reinforcement for 3D Concrete Printed Structures

Extrusion-based 3D concrete printing (3DCP) is a construction automation technology that involves layer-by-layer concrete deposition to build complex freeform structures. However, the provision of reinforcement in 3DCP elements is one of the major challenges that limit the structural application of 3DCP. Hence, the textile reinforcement made of multifilament yarns of AR-glass, basalt, and carbon can be adopted as a potential reinforcing method for 3DCP structures. The textile reinforcement with high tensile strength can improve the load-carrying capacity of 3DCP structures subjected to bending stresses by providing continuous reinforcement between the printed interlayers. Furthermore, textile reinforcements are easily formable with non-corrosive properties which ease the construction of curvilinear members having slender cross sections for 3DCP structures. This paper discusses the potential of incorporating textile reinforcement for printing complex structures. Providing textile reinforcement as an in-process reinforcement was evaluated by printing different curved structures. Further, the flexural behaviour of the textile-reinforced curved specimens was evaluated under three-point bending and compared with unreinforced specimens. The flexural performance of textile-reinforced specimens showed better crack resistance with a higher failure load from unreinforced 3DCP structures. Textile reinforcement was observed to be a reasonable reinforcing strategy and provides slender sections with enhanced structural performance for 3DCP structures.