3D Concrete Printing of Post-Tensioned Elements (2018-07)¶

This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities related to material development and architectural design in a 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) context. We describe the workflow used in the design and manufacturing of a post-tensioned concrete structure using 3D Printed modules. In this process, concrete extrusion was deployed in a 6-axis robot. The motivation to use 3DCP was to exploit 3DCP’s potential in design freedom and digital fabrication, while featuring the use of post-tensioned reinforcement, and to realize one of the first 3D Concrete Printed structures in Denmark. The experiments carried out to determine the concrete mix design and printing parameters as well as the production of the posttensioned structure were based on an empirical approach; with the primary goals being the identification of the challenges in this innovative process that is 3DCP and the validation of a design concept through the production of a structure that was showcase in Aarhus, Denmark in mid-2017. As such, the findings listed in this paper serves as a guide for researchers and engineers that are interested in understanding the design to fabrication challenges when deploying 3DCP in construction.