Transcript
Buildings made of 3D-printed concrete are an exciting trend in housing, and they offer a slew of benefits. These include quick construction, possible use of recycled materials, reduced labor costs and less waste, all while enabling intricate designs that traditional building techniques struggle to deliver.
The process uses a specialized printer that dispenses a cement-like mixture in layers to build the structure using computer-aided design software. But so far, printable material options are limited and questions about their sustainability and durability remain. As explained recently in the journal Cement and Concrete Composites, a research team led by engineers at the University of Virginia is the first to explore how an emerging plant-based material, called cellulose nanofibrils (or CNF), could amplify the benefits of 3D-printed concrete technology.
According to the lead researcher, “The improvements we saw on both printability and mechanical measures suggest that incorporating cellulose nanofibrils in commercial printable materials could lead to more resilient and eco-friendly construction practices sooner rather than later.” CNFs are made from wood pulp, creating a material that’s renewable and low impact.
Like other plant-fiber derivatives, CNF, as the material is known in the industry, shows strong potential as an additive to improve the flow properties and mechanical strength of these composites. However, until this meticulous study, the influence of CNFs on conventional 3D-printed composites wasn’t clear. Experimenting with varying amounts of CNF additive, the team found that adding at least 0.3% CNF significantly improved flow performance.
Microscopic analysis of the hardened samples also revealed better material bonding and structural integrity. In further testing, CNF-enhanced 3D-printed components also stood up to pulling, bending and compression.
|
