3D printing and self-healing concrete: a good match?

Branko Šavija*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

Self-healing concrete has shown excellent potential in improving the durability of (reinforced) concrete structures and reducing the need for their repair and maintenance. This has been further substantiated by several successful full-scale demonstrator projects. Nevertheless, industrial uptake of the technology is lagging behind, mainly due to the higher initial cost compared to traditional concrete. In addition, it is well known that some self-healing mechanisms can have detrimental effects on properties of concrete, such as e.g., the compressive strength, making some engineers sceptical about practical applicability. With these two issues in mind, one might wonder: shouldn’t we simply apply self-healing concrete only where it is needed? This has been done in the past in so-called hybrid structures, in which self-healing concrete was used in the cover zone as a stay-in-place mold, while traditional concrete was used as infill. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques offer additional possibilities in selective placement and optimization of self-healing concrete composites. Additive manufacturing provides unprecedented freedom in design and optimization of structures at virtually no additional cost. This could allow customizing the placement of self-healing agents based on structural design and loading considerations of a given structure. In this talk, recent developments and potential applications of different additive manufacturing techniques for design and fabrication of self-healing concrete will be discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMATEC web of conferences
Subtitle of host publicationSMARTINCS’23 Conference on Self-Healing, Multifunctional and Advanced Repair Technologies in Cementitious Systems
PublisherEDP Sciences
Number of pages1
Volume378
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
EventSMARTINCS’23: Conference on Self-Healing, Multifunctional and Advanced Repair Technologies in Cementitious Systems - Het Pand, 3P39+5X, Ghent, Belgium
Duration: 22 May 202323 May 2023
https://smartincs.ugent.be/index.php/smartincs-23

Publication series

NameMATEC web of conferences
PublisherEDP Sciences
ISSN (Electronic)2261-236X

Conference

ConferenceSMARTINCS’23
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityGhent
Period22/05/2323/05/23
Internet address

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