Loadbearing Capacity of Concrete Column Fragments Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing

Currently, developments in the field of additive manufacturing are gaining increasing popularity, including the construction industry. However, the widespread use of 3D printing in construction is hindered by a number of challenges, including difficulties in reinforcing structures during the printing process, a lack of data on strength and deformability of such structures under load, the lack of a regulatory framework for the design of 3D printed structures, large dimensions of the structures–which necessitate large-format printers–and other factors. Efforts to advance the technology are primarily focused on developing specialized concrete mixes for printing and studying and improving their properties. Research, however, should be focused on studying and standardizing strength and strain properties of structural materials produced by additive manufacturing. Purpose: The aim of the work is to develop the experimental program of studying column fragments and reference samples of cubes and prisms to determine the strength and strain properties of 3D printed materials, and compare them with the structural parameters of in-situ concrete. Research findings : The experimental program of studies is developed for column segments and reference samples to determine strength and strain properties of structural materials, i.e., those obtained in conventional in-situ mold and 3D printed. Practical implications: The experimental results and the proposed experimental program for measuring the load-bearing capacity of concrete column segments produced by additive manufacturing expand scientific knowledge regarding the structural behavior of extruded components.