One of the insights gathered during RAAK-mkb KONKREET project is that a standard concrete recipe is not suitable for 3D printing. The lack of knowledge about concrete mix suitable for 3D concrete printing is one of the barriers to further development of 3D concrete printing. The problem with developing a successful concrete recipe is that the material is expected to exhibit contradictory properties: it must be liquid when it is pumped, but also need to be hard so it forms solid layers.
With a vast trial-and-error experience behind our backs, we investigated a great variety of recipes. We built an extensive database to relate different recipes with different printing setting and the following results. The value here is that the recipe is adaptable to the application and intent.
Together with our partners, we believes it can take a step in finding the suitable additives / recipe. To do this, the following steps are described to find a suitable recipe and to spread it in the concrete industry:
- identify suitable recipes and develop test methods for screening
- test recipes on a lab scale with (new) test methods
- validate recipes by 3D printing
- building knowledge related to the performance of 3D printable concrete in both academic and commercial environment
3D concrete print at Saxion 