Innovative approaches in the construction sector are leveraging new additive manufacturing techniques to enhance the automation of building processes. This advancement necessitates the creation of specialized materials tailored to meet the unique demands of these methods. Central to this development is the challenge of accurately characterizing these materials to ensure they perform optimally during the manufacturing process. A comprehensive study employing rheological analysis has been conducted to refine and optimize the composition of printable strain hardening cementitious composites. This research utilized established mixtures while varying key factors like the water-to-solid ratio, fiber volume, and chemical additives.
The effectiveness of these modifications was evaluated through practical printing tests where rheological properties such as bulk and shear yield stress were measured. These properties were then linked to standard quality metrics used in assessing 3D printed materials. Additionally, the structural integrity of these mixtures was verified through mechanical tests, including four-point bending and compression strength assessments, which confirmed the attainment of strain hardening characteristics. The findings suggest that this integrated experimental and theoretical approach could serve as a valuable model for predicting material behavior in additive manufacturing applications.
