Automation in the Construction of a 3D-Printed Concrete Wall with the Use of a Lintel Gripper.

Marcin Hoffmann,Paweł Pankratow,Szymon Skibicki,Mateusz Techman,Mirosław Pajor,Adam Zieliński

doi:10.3390/ma13081800

Abstract

Developments in the automation of construction processes, observable in recent years, is focused on speeding up the construction of buildings and structures. Additive manufacturing using concrete mixes are among the most promising technologies in this respect. 3D concrete printing allows the building up of structure by extruding a mix layer by layer. However, the mix initially has low capacity to transfer loads, which can be particularly troublesome in cases of external components that need to be placed on top such as precast lintels or floor beams. This article describes the application of additive manufacturing technology in the fabrication of a building wall model, in which the door opening was finished with automatic lintel installation. The research adjusts the wall design and printing process, accounting for the rheological and mechanical properties of the fresh concrete, as well as design requirements of Eurocode. The article demonstrates that the process can be planned precisely and how the growth of stress in fresh concrete can be simulated, against the strength level developed. The conclusions drawn from this research will be of use in designing larger civil structures. Furthermore, the adverse effects of concrete shrinkage on structures is also presented, together with appropriate methods of control.

Highlights

The fact that the fourth industrial revolution has already come about, has been asserted in various sources [1]
Researchers have paid particular attention to additive manufacturing technology, which has the potential of totally changing methods of construction using concrete and cementitious mortars
The purpose of this article is to present the process of the additive manufacturing of a scale down model of a wall with a door opening, including the installation of a lintel by means of a specially designed gripper

Summary

Introduction

The fact that the fourth industrial revolution has already come about, has been asserted in various sources [1]. It has been defined in terms of the integration of intelligent machines and systems and the implementation of changes in production processes, aimed at increasing productivity and improving changeover flexibility. Researchers have paid particular attention to additive manufacturing technology, which has the potential of totally changing methods of construction using concrete and cementitious mortars. In this approach, the mix material is dispensed precisely at pre-determined locations, through a printing head nozzle. Various types of 3D printers are in use, including Cartesian robots [7,8,9], Materials 2020, 13, 1800; doi:10.3390/ma13081800 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

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