Analysis of design methods for 3-D printed wall structures

TThis paper presents a comprehensive analysis of modern design and calculation methods for load-bearing structures manufactured using 3D concrete printing, as universal regulatory methodologies are currently lacking. It studies key design challenges related to pronounced material anisotropy, heterogeneity of properties along the element's height, and the bond between printed layers, as the specific construction conditions can create non-uniformity in compressive strength between the bottom and top of a wall of up to 108 %. Experimental data on the performance of beams under bending, walls under axial and seismic loads, the effectiveness of various reinforcement schemes, and modern approaches to numerical modeling that take into account the specifics of 3D printing are considered. Performance factors influencing wall design are also considered. It is established that when calculating printed structures, it is permissible to use revised formulas for masonry structures. However, accuracy is significantly reduced when reinforcement is introduced. Vertical reinforcement alone can increase the load-bearing capacity by up to 26 %. Examples of successfully applied finite element models, taking into account all structural features, are described. Their use allowed for a deviation in structural strength values of no more than 4 % compared to experimental ones.