Application of 3D Printing Technology to Structural Members
By H. Ogura, H. Tanaka, T. Nakajima and S. Yamamoto
Concrete Journal, Vol.62, No.6, Jun. 2024
- Synopsis
- To explore the potential of cement-based 3D printing technology, we applied it to three building structures using a different method for each. The structures selected for application were a parking canopy, wall-like columns, and a shell roof structure. For the parking canopy structure, for the first time in Japan, we used a 3D printing material that was certified by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a designated building material under the Building Standards Act to manufacture beam members with longitudinal reinforcement. For the wall-like columns, a large 3D printer was installed at the construction site and a permanent formwork 20 m in width and 4.5 m in height was printed on site by stacking layers of fiber-reinforced mortar around pre-installed rebar and steel frames. For the shell roof structure, we attempted to apply it as roof panels by taking advantage of the strong mechanical properties and water tightness of the developed fiber reinforced mortar.
- Keywords:
- 3D printing, Material extrusion method, Construction robot, Automation, Permanent formwork, Fiber reinforced mortar, High toughness
