Mesh Reinforcing Method for 3D Concrete Printing (2019-10)¶

3D Concrete Printing (3DcP) is an emerging technology with promises to transform concrete construction using additive manufacturing technologies. One of the major challenges for 3DcP technology is the reinforcement method, particularly in the interlayer direction (across the layers). Previously developed methods include (1) pre-installed reinforcement where the reinforcement is placed or 3D printed before the concrete printing and (2) post-installed reinforcement where reinforcement is inserted and grouted after the 3D printing of concrete with holes for the reinforcements. A new in-process method is presented in this paper to embed mesh reinforcement at the same time when concrete layers are printed. Reinforcements in each layer are lapped in the interlayer (across the layer) direction to simulate a continuous reinforcement. Tests and calculations show that lapped mesh reinforcement was effective in functioning as a continuous reinforcement.