Performance of full-scale 3D-printed concrete walls: Effects of vertical reinforcements and window opening

The 3D concrete printing is an advancing construction technology with the potential to revolutionize the building industry. This study investigates the structural performance of large-scale 3D-printed walls made with regular concrete containing coarse aggregates. The objectives of this study are to investigate important gaps related to the structural behavior of full-scale loadbearing walls, including the effects of a large window opening and vertical reinforcement. The methodology involved conducting full-scale compression load tests on wall specimens, printed and cured on-site under real-world conditions. These wall specimens included configurations with and without window openings, as well as reinforced and unreinforced walls. Key findings indicate that 3D-printed concrete walls with vertical reinforcement achieved up to a 26 % increase in loadbearing capacity and exhibited energy absorption up to three times greater than unreinforced walls. This study also found that the wall with a large window opening reached approximately 80 % of the loadbearing capacity of the specimen without an opening. The implications of this study provide novel knowledge about the performance of large 3D-printed concrete walls under compressive loads. This information will help in establishing guidelines for 3D printing in construction and building design codes. • The study determined full-scale 3D-printed walls made of regular concrete. • The study examined the performance of 3D-printed walls with and without opening. • Printed walls with lintel showed a lower peak load with a flexural failure. • Vertical reinforcements significantly enhanced the structural performance. • Design considerations in Canadian masonry design standard were evaluated.