Lap Joint Reinforcement for 3D Concrete Printing
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 6
Abstract
Extrusion three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (3DcP) is an automated construction technology that involves the layer-by-layer deposition of stiff concrete to build a structure without formworks. The interlayer strength is compromised by weak bonds and lack of vertical reinforcements. The bar-penetration technique is a 3DcP reinforcement method where reinforcing bar is inserted vertically through freshly printed layers. Application of a cement paste to the bar during penetration has proven to increase the bar to matrix bond. To be effective as continuous reinforcement, a sequential vertical lapping of bars is considered. For this method to be effective, an understanding of minimum lap length in 3DcP requirements is crucial. This study investigates center- and off-center-lapped samples with lap lengths of 20, 17, 14, and 11 times the bar diameter, subjected to three-point bending tests. Failure modes and crack patterns were recorded and compared with single-bar-penetrated samples. Results and findings were further validated by the printing and testing of a large-scale wall section. Comparisons with small scale results and design calculations showed promising structural performance.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the help and assistance with the manufacture of the printed samples from Dr. Ming Xia, Dr. Shin Bong, and Arun R. Arunothayan. The authors would also like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Australian Research Council Grants DP170103521 and LE170100168 for the research work reported in this paper.
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Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 6 • June 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: May 11, 2021
Accepted: Feb 9, 2022
Published online: Apr 5, 2022
Published in print: Jun 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Sep 5, 2022
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