Assessment of Load-Bearing Capacity and Buildability Failures in 3D Printed Concrete Structures

The construction industry is currently undergoing a rapid transformation in the field of 3D concrete printing (3DCP), presenting a variety of advantages in contrast to traditional construction techniques. However, certain uncertainties persist concerning the practical application of 3DCP in large-scale production, specifically concerning the feasibility of constructing a structure and determining the maximum height it can attain before encountering structural integrity issues or potential failure. The focus of this study is to determine the load-bearing capacity and to forecast the highest achievable elevation for a 3D-printed concrete construction while avoiding any structural integrity issues. To achieve this objective, an inventive experimental approach was introduced to assess the load-bearing potential of freshly printed concrete. The study involved conducting tests to measure the structure's load-bearing capacity and determine the highest achievable printing height in its initial developmental phase. Afterwards, the time-dependent properties were examined experimentally with the intention of integrating them into simulation at a subsequent phase. Subsequently, the constructability standard utilizing the Mohr-Coulomb model was defined, and its accuracy was tested via a combination of numerical and experimental assessments. The concrete structure printed using the specific mixture examined in this study can withstand applied loads of up to 6 blocks at a height of 600 mm. The model utilized demonstrated satisfactory performance in accurately capturing the time-dependent mechanical behavior of concrete properties as they developed over time.