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Influence of Extruded Strip-Shape and Dimension on the Mechanical Properties and Pore-Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete (2025-01)

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140176

Chen Wei, Guan Yongying,  Zhu Binrong, Han Jinsheng,  Zhang Yamei, Qian Yuandi,  Cai Jingming,  Pan Jinlong
Journal Article - Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 464, No. 140176

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete is increasingly recognized as an effective alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) for 3D concrete printing. However, the mechanical anisotropy inherent in extrusion-based 3D printed concrete poses limitations for components and large-scale applications. To overcome these challenges, understanding the variations in pore characteristics and macroscopic mechanical properties within printed structures is essential. This study investigates these properties in extruded strips produced from circular and rectangular extrusion nozzles under varying printing parameters. Pore defects within the strips were characterized using X-ray computed tomography (CT), which included analyses of pore volume, distribution, shape, and connectivity. The findings indicate that strips printed with circular nozzles exhibit more interstrip pore defects, leading to inferior macro-mechanical properties compared to those printed with rectangular nozzles. Adjusting the print traverse size reduces the size of interstrip connected pores and transforms large-volume pores (volume >1 mm³) into medium-volume pores (0.01–0.1 mm³). Moreover, the orientation of independent pore defects between strips differs from that within the matrix. The study concludes with an analysis of the formation and evolution of pore defects at the interstrip interfaces and within the matrix under different molding processes and traverse sizes, elucidating how variations in pore distribution characteristics impact the mechanical properties of 3D printed geopolymer concrete.

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BibTeX
@article{chen_guan_zhu_han.2025.IoESSaDotMPaPCo3PGC,
  author            = "Wei Chen and Yongying Guan and Binrong Zhu and Jinsheng Han and Yamei Zhang and Yuandi Qian and Jingming Cai and Jinlong Pan",
  title             = "Influence of Extruded Strip-Shape and Dimension on the Mechanical Properties and Pore-Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete",
  doi               = "10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140176",
  year              = "2025",
  journal           = "Construction and Building Materials",
  volume            = "464",
  pages             = "140176",
}
Formatted Citation

W. Chen, “Influence of Extruded Strip-Shape and Dimension on the Mechanical Properties and Pore-Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete”, Construction and Building Materials, vol. 464, p. 140176, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140176.

Chen, Wei, Yongying Guan, Binrong Zhu, Jinsheng Han, Yamei Zhang, Yuandi Qian, Jingming Cai, and Jinlong Pan. “Influence of Extruded Strip-Shape and Dimension on the Mechanical Properties and Pore-Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete”. Construction and Building Materials 464 (2025): 140176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140176.