Shear behaviors of engineered cementitious composites to seawater sea-sand concrete (ECC-to-SSSC) interfaces cast using 3D-printed pre-grooving formwork: Mechanical properties, characterization, and life-cycle assessment

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate shear behaviors of engineered cementitious composites to seawater sea-sand concrete (ECC-to-SSSC) interfaces cast using 3D-printed pre-grooving formwork. The investigation involves experimental tests and economy/environmental analysis. The investigated parameter includes concrete types, interface roughness, and ECC compressive strength. A novel and eco-efficient interface treatment method was developed using 3D printing pre-grooving formworks, and an accurate interface roughness quantification method was proposed. The interface shear test was conducted to obtain shear load-slip curves and interfacial shear strengths. The characterization results showed that, ECC-to-SSSC interfaces contained Frieda's salt, which improved hydration rate and generated more hydration products to enhance interface strength. Moreover, economic/environmental analysis showed that the use of SSSC, ECC, and 3D-printed pre-grooving formwork greatly reduced life-cycle cost, carbon footprint, and energy consumption. This study is promising to enhance the understanding of interfacial behaviors of ECC-to-SSSC interface and mitigate material cost and carbon footprint in concrete.