Study of Interlayer Adhesion and Development of Reinforcing Methods for 3D Concrete Printing

3D Concrete Printing (3DcP) is a revolutionary automated construction technology that enables the building of complex geometries without moulds or supports at a reduced cost in a shorter timeframe. Printing involves the continuous extrusion of a stiff concrete mix out of a digitally controlled nozzle layer by layer. The two primary challenges that compromise the printed objects strength and hinders commercial adoption are (1) weak interlayer adhesion. (2) lack of integrated `in-process' interlayer reinforcement. This doctoral research identifies the factors affecting interlayer adhesion and develops methods of strengthening and reinforcing it as an `in-process' solution for large-scale 3DcP.