The affordable housing crisis and the construction industry’s carbon footprint have become pressing issues worldwide. 3D printing aka additive manufacturing offers a promising solution to these issues, creating complex structures without formwork with increased speed and precision. 3D printing leverages customized printing mixtures, enabling tailored solutions that meet specific needs while minimizing waste and environmental impact. It complements different robotic fabrication techniques, such as automated brick layering, on-site robotic fabrication, and automated modular construction. Our group performs research focused on the 3D printing of infrastructure materials, including concrete, cementitious composites, and sulfur concrete, to understand their properties and performance. From small-scale gantries to a 6-axis robotic arm, a range of 3D printers available in our lab, we seamlessly design our tests for small scale to refine intricate details and then scale up -to larger printers. We also study different reinforcement techniques to enhance the strength and durability of our 3D concrete prints. In addition, we are formulating and validating computational models that simulate the behavior of these materials.
UHPC without fibers using a custom-made extrusion system
Rectangular path using piston-type extrusion system and corrugated circular nozzle
UHPC with fibers using piston-type extrusion system and rectangular nozzle