Numerical Evaluation of the Seismic Performance of Self-Centering 3D Printed Concrete Wall (2025-12)¶

3D concrete printing is an innovative additive manufacturing technique that holds significant promise for large-scale structural applications. However, to ensure its effectiveness under complex loading conditions, such as cyclic loading, the incorporation of reinforcement is essential. A key challenge lies in integrating reinforcement into 3D printed concrete (3DPC), as the reinforcement must be compatible with the layer-by-layer construction process inherent to this technology. In this study, we addressed this challenge by implementing a centered reinforcement strategy and modelled a self-centering 3DPC wall. The primary objective is to evaluate the structural behavior of self-centering 3DPC wall under cyclic loading. To accurately replicate the behavior of 3DPC wall, material characterization and 3D finite element dynamic analysis (FEA) are established, incorporating detailed experimental input parameters such as stiffness coefficients and interlayer bonding properties. These parameters are crucial for achieving a realistic simulation of the wall’s performance. A simplified micromodelling approach is employed to analyze the load-bearing behavior of 3DPC walls under quasi-static cyclic in-plane loading conditions. The results demonstrated that the implemented reinforcement strategy significantly enhanced the cyclic performance of the 3DPC wall by 54.08%, improving wall’s stability and damage tolerance. After parametric investigation, computational findings suggest that the seismic performance of the 3DPC wall considerably enhanced by combining a solid 3DPC wall with a 32 mm central reinforcement bar with the ultimate load capacity increasing by 65.79% compared to the self-centering 3DPC wall. The study provides critical insights into the seismic performance of reinforced 3DPC structures, underscore the potential of optimized reinforcement strategies in enhancing load resistance of 3DPC walls, delaying structural deterioration, and improving overall resilience—key considerations for seismic applications.