An investigation into the use of 3D printing technology for geogrids

Three-dimensional (3D) printers with large-scale printing capabilities may enable engineers to print their geogrids, which would be especially useful at outlying construction sites where acquiring geogrid can be challenging or expensive. Nevertheless, for 3D geogrids to be used effectively for geotechnical applications like mechanically stabilised earth walls (MSE walls) or ground improvement, they must be able to interlock with soils in a manner similar to factory-made geogrids. The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the interlocking mechanisms of 3D-printed geogrids with different soils by comparing them with factory-made geogrids. To achieve this, tensile tests were conducted to determine the tensile characteristics of the 3D-printed geogrids produced in the study. In addition, large-scale direct shear tests were performed by placing 3D geogrids with soils of different grain roundness values. All test results were presented by comparing them with the test results conducted on factory-made geogrids with properties similar to the 3D-printed geogrids. The 3D-printed geogrid improved the soil shear strength; however, it was found to be more brittle and provided less interlock with soils than the factory-made geogrid. These results suggest that the production method of the geogrid was a significant factor.