Shrinkage and Cracking Performance of PP/PVA Fiber-Reinforced 3D-Printed Mortar
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 6
Abstract
Compared with conventional cast-in-place mortar materials, three dimensional (3D)-printed mortar has the characteristics of high cementitious material consumption, low aggregate-cement ratio, and large water evaporation area, which makes 3D-printed materials and structures more prone to plastic shrinkage and cracking. In this study, polypropylene (PP) fiber and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber were used to optimize the shrinkage and crack resistance of 3D-printed mortar. The effects of PP and PVA fibers on the printability, mechanical properties, shrinkage, and crack resistance of 3D-printed mortar were tested, and the regulation mechanism was explored. The results show that the optimal content of PP fiber for cracking resistance is 0.3%; the corresponding 28-day compressive strength and flexural strength are 39.2 and 6.9 MPa, respectively, and the shrinkage of the material can be reduced by 13.8% after 120 days. A content of PVA fiber higher than 0.2% is recommended for cracking resistance; the 28-day compressive strength and flexural strength reach 41.3 and 8.0 MPa, respectively, and the shrinkage of the material can be reduced by 13.3% after 120 days. Hence, PVA fiber is recommended to control the shrinkage and cracking of 3D-printed mortar.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 5217083174 and 52208239), Natural Science Foundation of Hebei (Nos. E2020202034, E2021202039, E2022202041, and E2022202203), and Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin (No. 20JCYBJC00710).
References
Arunothayan, A. R., B. Nematollahi, R. Ranade, S. H. Bong, J. G. Sanjayan, and K. H. Khayat. 2021. “Fiber orientation effects on ultra-high performance concrete formed by 3D printing.” Cem. Concr. Res. 143 (21): 106384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106384.
Bai, G., L. Wang, G. Ma, J. Sanjayan, and M. Bai. 2021a. “3D printing eco-friendly concrete containing under-utilised and waste solids as aggregates.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 120 (4): 104037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104037.
Bai, G., L. Wang, F. Wang, and G. Ma. 2021b. “In-process reinforcing method: Dual 3D printing procedure for ultra-high performance concrete reinforced cementitious composites.” Mater. Lett. 304 (5): 130594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.130594.
Bentegri, I., O. Boukendakdji, E. H. Kadri, T. T. Ngo, and H. Soualhi. 2020. “Rheological and tribological behaviors of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 261 (Apr): 119962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119962.
Bos, F. P., E. Bosco, and T. A. M. Salet. 2019. “Ductility of 3D printed concrete reinforced with short straight steel fibers.” Virtual Phys. Prototyping 14 (2): 160–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2018.1548069.
Bouziadi, F., B. Boulekbache, and M. Hamrat. 2016. “The effects of fibres on the shrinkage of high-strength concrete under various curing temperatures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 114 (Jul): 40–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.164.
Cao, M., L. Xu, and C. Zhang. 2018. “Rheological and mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced cement mortar.” Constr. Build. Mater. 171 (May): 736–742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.054.
CNS (Chinese National Standards). 2005a. Test method for fluidity of cement mortar. GB/T 2419-2005. Beijing: CNS.
CNS (Chinese National Standards). 2005b. Test method for cracking-resistance of cement mortar. JC/T 951–2005. Beijing: CNS.
CNS (Chinese National Standards). 2016. Standard for test method of performance on ordinary fresh concrete. GB/T 50080-2016. Beijing: CNS.
Ding, T., J. Xiao, S. Zou, and X. Zhou. 2020. “Anisotropic behavior in bending of 3D printed concrete reinforced with fibers.” Compos. Struct. 254 (Dec): 112808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112808.
Fan, Y., J. Xiao, and V. W. Y. Tam. 2014. “Effect of old attached mortar on the creep of recycled aggregate concrete.” Struct. Concr. 15 (2): 169–178. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201300055.
Ghourchian, S., M. Butler, M. Krüger, and V. Mechtcherine. 2021. “Modelling the development of capillary pressure in freshly 3D-printed concrete elements.” Cem. Concr. Res. 145 (Jul): 106457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106457.
Gong, J., W. Zeng, and W. Zhang. 2018. “Influence of shrinkage-reducing agent and polypropylene fiber on shrinkage of ceramsite concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 159 (Jan): 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.10.064.
Hambach, M., and D. Volkmer. 2017. “Properties of 3D-printed fiber-reinforced Portland cement paste.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 79 (Feb): 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.02.001.
Jin, Z., Z. Xia, T. Zhao, and Y. Cao. 2016. “Effect of mineral admixture and fibers on shrinkage crack of sacrificial concrete.” J. Adv. Concr. Technol. 14 (9): 502–510. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.14.502.
Juarez, C. A., G. Fajardo, S. Monroy, A. Duran-Herrera, P. Valdez, and C. Magniont. 2015. “Comparative study between natural and PVA fibers to reduce plastic shrinkage cracking in cement-based composite.” Constr. Build. Mater. 91 (Aug): 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.05.028.
Li, L. G., Z. W. Zhao, J. Zhu, A. K. H. Kwan, and K. L. Zeng. 2018. “Combined effects of water film thickness and polypropylene fibre length on fresh properties of mortar.” Constr. Build. Mater. 174 (Jun): 586–593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.259.
Li, V. C., et al. 2020. “On the emergence of 3D printable engineered, strain hardening cementitious composites (ECC/SHCC).” Cem. Concr. Res. 132 (Jun): 106038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106038.
Ma, G., R. Buswell, W. R. L. Silva, L. Wang, J. Xu, and S. Z. Jones. 2022. “Technology readiness: A global snapshot of 3D concrete printing and the frontiers for development.” Cem. Concr. Res. 156 (Jun): 106774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.106774.
Ma, G., Z. Li, and L. Wang. 2018. “Printable properties of cementitious material containing copper tailings for extrusion based 3D printing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 162 (Feb): 613–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.051.
Ma, G., Z. Li, L. Wang, F. Wang, and J. Sanjayan. 2019. “Mechanical anisotropy of aligned fiber reinforced composite for extrusion-based 3D printing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 202 (Mar): 770–783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.008.
Moelich, G. M., J. Kruger, and R. Combrinck. 2020. “Plastic shrinkage cracking in 3D printed concrete.” Composites, Part B 200 (Nov): 108313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108313.
Moelich, G. M., P. J. Kruger, and R. Combrinck. 2021. “The effect of restrained early age shrinkage on the interlayer bond and durability of 3D printed concrete.” J. Build. Eng. 43 (Nov): 102857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102857.
Saradar, A., B. Tahmouresi, E. Mohseni, and A. Shadmani. 2018. “Restrained shrinkage cracking of fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete.” Fibers 6 (1): 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6010012.
Soltan, D. G., and V. C. Li. 2018. “A self-reinforced cementitious composite for building-scale 3D printing.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 90 (Mar): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.03.017.
Swamy, R. N., and P. S. Mangat. 1974. “A theory for the flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 4 (2): 313–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(74)90142-2.
Van Der Putten, J., D. Snoeck, R. De Coensel, G. De Schutter, and K. Van Tittelboom. 2021. “Early age shrinkage phenomena of 3D printed cementitious materials with superabsorbent polymers.” J. Build. Eng. 35 (8): 102059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102059.
Wang, J., Q. Dai, R. Si, and S. Guo. 2018. “Investigation of properties and performances of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-reinforced rubber concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 193 (77): 631–642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.002.
Wang, L., T. He, Y. Zhou, S. Tang, J. Tan, Z. Liu, and J. Su. 2021a. “The influence of fiber type and length on the cracking resistance, durability and pore structure of face slab concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 282 (7): 122706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122706.
Wang, L., G. Ma, T. Liu, R. Buswell, and Z. Li. 2021b. “Interlayer reinforcement of 3D printed concrete by the in-process deposition of U-nails.” Cem. Concr. Res. 148 (Feb): 106535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106535.
Wang, L., H. Ma, Z. Li, G. Ma, and J. Guan. 2021c. “Cementitious composites blending with high belite sulfoaluminate and medium-heat Portland cements for largescale 3D printing.” Addit. Manuf. 46 (Oct): 102189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2021.102189.
Wang, L., Y. Yang, L. Yao, and G. Ma. 2022. “Interfacial bonding properties of 3D printed permanent formwork with the post-casted concrete.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 128 (8): 104457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104457.
Xiao, J., Y. Fan, and V. W. Y. Tam. 2015. “On creep characteristics of cement paste, mortar and recycled aggregate concrete.” Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng. 19 (10): 1234–1252. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2015.1008652.
Xiao, J., N. Han, L. Zhang, and S. Zou. 2021a. “Mechanical and microstructural evolution of 3D printed concrete with polyethylene fiber and recycled sand at elevated temperatures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 293 (7): 123524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123524.
Xiao, J., G. Ji, Y. Zhang, G. Ma, V. Mechtcherine, J. Pan, L. Wang, T. Ding, Z. Duan, and S. Du. 2021b. “Large-scale 3D printing concrete technology: Current status and future opportunities.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 122 (Sep): 104115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104115.
Xu, Y., and B. Šavija. 2019. “Development of strain hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) reinforced with 3D printed polymeric reinforcement: Mechanical properties.” Composites, Part B 174 (Oct): 107011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107011.
Yokoi, H., Y. Mori, T. Mitani, and S. Kawata. 1992. “A magnetic study of the iron(III) complexes of polyols and sugars in aqueous solution.” Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 65 (7): 1898–1902. https://doi.org/10.1246/bcsj.65.1898.
Yousefieh, N., A. Joshaghani, E. Hajibandeh, and M. Shekarchi. 2017. “Influence of fibers on drying shrinkage in restrained concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 148 (Sep): 833–845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.093.
Yu, Z., Y. Zhao, H. Ba, and M. Liu. 2021. “Synergistic effects of ettringite-based expansive agent and polypropylene fiber on early-age anti-shrinkage and anti-cracking properties of mortars.” J. Build. Eng. 39 (4): 102275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102275.
Zhang, H., and J. Xiao. 2021. “Plastic shrinkage and cracking of 3D printed mortar with recycled sand.” Constr. Build. Mater. 302 (Oct): 124405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124405.
Zhang, Y., Y. Zhang, W. She, L. Yang, G. Liu, and Y. Yang. 2019. “Rheological and harden properties of the high-thixotropy 3D printing concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 201 (Mar): 278–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.061.
Zhou, X., and Z. Li. 2005. “Characterization of rheology of fresh fiber reinforced cementitious composites through ram extrusion.” Mater. Struct. 38 (1): 17–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480570.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 6 • June 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 18, 2021
Accepted: Oct 4, 2022
Published online: Mar 29, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 29, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.