Canadian PI: Dr. Vahid Sadeghian
Canadian Institution: Carleton University
Indian PI: Dr. Biranchi Panda
Indian Institution: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati
Project Summary:
3D printed concrete (3DPC) has the potential to revolutionize construction practice by using robotic technology to automate construction. With this novel technique, concrete is precisely placed in thin stacked layers using a computer-controlled extruder to build up a full structure. This technique saves time and money, increases worker safety, and provides more design flexibility. Sustainability benefits are gained by significantly reducing construction waste and therefore CO2 emissions and elimination of the need for formwork. It is a promising solution to overcome housing shortages worldwide which have been magnified due to supply chain disruptions and labor shortage after COVID-19.
Barriers to full adoption of 3DPC include bringing sustainability into concrete mix design, incorporation of structural reinforcement, and lack of verification by structural testing. New concrete mix designs to improve workability while also reducing carbon footprint are critical to enhance the sustainability of 3DPC. Structural integrity of 3DPC elements requires reinforcement by steel or polymer materials. There are no existing validated methods to reinforce these elements. Lastly, only a handful of structural tests have been conducted on these elements. Previous tests were limited to static loading and considered axial and bending behaviour only.
The main goal of this research is to develop sustainable seismic-resistant 3DPC buildings by conducting experimental testing and computer simulations at both the material and structural levels while also considering architectural requirements. New innovative concrete mix designs will be developed to improve sustainability and workability of 3DPC. In parallel, large-scale 3DPC wall specimens will be tested to develop and verify new wall morphologies that incorporate reinforcement to make them, for the first time, resilient against earthquakes. This will be done using innovative hybrid simulation methods (combining computer modelling with physical specimens in real time), and multi-unit shake table tests, the first ever conducted on 3DPC elements.
The outcomes of the research will benefit both Canadian and Indian communities by facilitating the large-scale application of 3DPC structures which will lead to easier access to affordable, sustainable and resilient housing, particularly for remote and rural areas with limited access to construction workers and materials or areas with high exposure to natural hazards.
