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A Thermo-Hygro Model to Determine the Factors Dictating Cold Joint Formation in 3D Printed Concrete (2025-03)

10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107869

 Hlobil Michal,  Michel Luca,  Pundir Mohit,  Kammer David
Journal Article - Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 193, No. 107869

Abstract

Cold joints in extruded concrete structures form once the exposed surface of a deposited filament dries prematurely and gets sequentially covered by a layer of fresh concrete. This creates a material heterogeneity which lowers the structural durability and shortens the designed service life. Many factors concurrently affect cold joint formation, yet a suitable tool for their categorization is missing. Here, we present a computational model that simulates the drying kinetics at the exposed structural surface, accounting for cement hydration and the resulting microstructural development. The model provides a time estimate for cold joint formation as a result. It allows us to assess the drying severity for a given geometry of the structure, its interaction with the environment, and ambient conditions. We evaluate the assessed factors and provide generalized recommendations for cold joint mitigation.

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BibTeX
@article{hlob_mich_pund_kamm.2025.ATHMtDtFDCJFi3PC,
  author            = "Michal Hlobil and Luca Michel and Mohit Pundir and David S. Kammer",
  title             = "A Thermo-Hygro Model to Determine the Factors Dictating Cold Joint Formation in 3D Printed Concrete",
  doi               = "10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107869",
  year              = "2025",
  journal           = "Cement and Concrete Research",
  volume            = "193",
  pages             = "107869",
}
Formatted Citation

M. Hlobil, L. Michel, M. Pundir and D. S. Kammer, “A Thermo-Hygro Model to Determine the Factors Dictating Cold Joint Formation in 3D Printed Concrete”, Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 193, p. 107869, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107869.

Hlobil, Michal, Luca Michel, Mohit Pundir, and David S. Kammer. “A Thermo-Hygro Model to Determine the Factors Dictating Cold Joint Formation in 3D Printed Concrete”. Cement and Concrete Research 193 (2025): 107869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107869.