Reliability-Based Numerical Modeling for Investigation of the Impact of Printing Parameters on Buildability of 3D Printed Concrete Structures

Abstract

The significance of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) as an additive manufacturing technology has increased over the past few years. Both  academic research studies and large-scale industrial realizations of 3DCP have shown that it represents a viable alternative to traditional  concrete mold casting. The key reason for this rapid development is that urgent challenges of the construction sector, in particular sustainability and productivity, are addressed. However, previous studies on technological progress have mainly been experimentally  driven. The introduction of appropriate numerical modeling techniques would, therefore, further foster the success of 3DCP by providing  insight into the structural behavior, which is beyond experimental possibilities. The present study introduces a numerical modeling  technique for the analysis of 3DCP wall structures using a timedependent reliability analysis. Uncertainties occurring throughout the printing process and time-dependent properties of printable concrete are considered. In addition, sensitivity analysis of random variables  is done, which could be used as indicative preference for future process optimizations. The results yield valuable insight into  the influence of printing process parameters on the failure of 3D printed concrete structures. The numerical model predicts build ability  of a 3D printed concrete wall structure as it is in very good agreement with experimental results of similar studies.