Reinforcement of 3D printable earth-based mortar with natural textile material

Abstract

Earth-based building materials, used in the construction industry for centuries, have gained renewed interest due to the increasing environmental threats posed by cement-based materials. These earth-based materials offer many advantageous features such as affordability, easy accessibility, recyclability resulting in zero waste, indoor climate control, and breathability, making them indispensable for sustainable development. The emergence of 3D printing technology has brought revolutionary benefits to the construction sector, enabling rapid, cost-effective, and eco-friendly production while offering almost unlimited design possibilities. However, the challenge of reinforcement remains a critical issue that requires solutions in 3D printed technology in construction. Mainly, the complexities of 3D-printed geometries make traditional construction reinforcement methods more challenging to apply. This study proposes a technique to address the reinforcement challenges of 3D printing technology using natural materials. Earth-based samples produced through 3D printing were reinforced with textiles, specifically natural jute fabric. The effectiveness of this approach was investigated, focusing on beam-shaped samples designed for experimental studies. The samples comprised a 3D printable mixture containing only clay, earth, and sand, reinforced with natural jute fabric textile. The findings of this research emphasise the positive impact of reinforcing 3D printable earth-based composites with natural jute fabric textiles, resulting in a structural material with enhanced compressive strength, good tensile strength, and ductile behaviour.