The Material Deposition Method (MDM) is gaining traction as a revolutionary additive construction technique, allowing for the creation of concrete mortar structures with unprecedented form freedom and automation. Despite its advantages, MDM faces challenges with traditional reinforcement methods, which are typically unsuited for ensuring ductile failure behavior in these unique structures. While some have addressed this by integrating printing with conventional casting and reinforcement, this study presents an innovative approach by integrating a metal cable directly into the concrete filament during the printing process as a means of reinforcement.
This method involves a specially designed device that embeds the reinforcement during the printing process, with various reinforcement media evaluated for their compatibility with printing. The study discusses specific considerations necessary for this manufacturing process and evaluates the effectiveness of the approach through pull-out and bending tests. These tests reveal that while the bond stress of cables in printed concrete is on par with that observed in smooth rebar, it is less than that in cast concrete, and there is notable variability in the results. However, with adequate bond length, the desired ductile behavior can be achieved, indicating that with further refinement, this innovative reinforcement strategy holds promise for enhancing the structural integrity of printed concrete elements.
