Structural Rheological Optimization of Low-Environmental-Impact Cementitious Materials for 3D Printing

PROJECT COST:

1 826 780 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

647 280 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

The competitiveness of the construction industry primarily depends on increasing construction rates and reducing associated costs. The development of high value-added products and advanced construction techniques thus represents a significant societal challenge. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is one of the emerging and innovative technologies for producing construction components directly from digital models with minimal human intervention. This technique involves extruding concrete through a nozzle to fabricate structural components layer by layer, enabling the creation of complex geometries with high precision, without the need for formwork.

This study aims to develop low-environmental-impact materials tailored for 3D printing applications. The development approach is based on optimizing the rheophysical and morphological characteristics of composite cements and alternative binders, as well as incorporating biopolymer gelifiers and alternative binders to control the reversible structuring kinetics (thixotropy) and better manage rigidity.

3D printing offers a significant opportunity to automate the construction process of complex geometries and reduces construction time and costs, given that formwork accounts for nearly 40% of the total cost of concrete structure construction. This research program is supported by ten partner organizations, including infrastructure owners, admixture producers, a cement manufacturer, engineering consulting firms, and a recycled aggregate producer. The involvement of these partners places them at the forefront of innovative materials and advanced construction techniques. These activities will facilitate knowledge transfer and the training of highly qualified personnel in Quebec with technical innovation expertise applicable to many Quebec-based companies.