Enhancing Sustainability and Performance of 3D Printing Mortar with Alccofine 1203, GGBS, and Kaolin (2024-05)¶

The construction industry is currently dealing with various challenges like inefficient labor, frequent crises at building sites, and complexities in managing construction processes. 3D printing concrete (3DPC) offers the potential to greatly enhance speed, safety, efficiency, performance, and sustainability in concrete construction. It could significantly impact the future of global building economics. This paper presents the development and experimental results on the usability of 3D printing mortar (3DPM) by incorporating alccofine 1203, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and kaolin. Four replacement ratios of Portland cement by alccofine (10–50%) and GGBS (30–40%) were investigated to examine the fresh and hardened behavior as well as microstructure of the newly developed 3DPM. A suitable mortar mix was developed experimentally containing 30% GGBS and 20% alccofine 1203 as partial replacement of cement, meeting the target mean strength. The study demonstrated that the developed mortar exhibited satisfactory printing properties in fresh state as well as mechanical properties in hardened state. The incorporation of an optimal alccofine 1203 dosage resulted in a noticeable increase in the compressive strength. The obtained capillary suction capability, indicates a reduced water absorption rate. Due to the incorporation of alccofine 1203 and GGBS the porosity decreased and mortar quality improved. In addition, the use of alccofine 1203 and kaolin greatly enhanced the transport properties of the mortar mix. The study also confirmed decreased pore anisotropy due to the presence of kaolin as a filler material in the mix.