Structural Performance of 3D-Printed Concrete Walls

<p dir="ltr"><i>The additive manufacturing in construction offers significant efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability. Notably, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) allows for the creation of complex wall assemblies without traditional formwork. A key question on the broader application of 3DCP methods is their compliance with different building regulations and standards, particularly their structural behaviours in comparison to traditional/conventional construction methods. FEA Static Analysis is used to evaluates the structural performance of a prototype 3D-printed concrete wall. The study analyses stress distribution, and displacement of the printed layers to investigate compliance with the Approved Document A of the UK Building Regulations. The compressive strength of the 3D printed concrete mix is tested in the laboratory. </i><i>The approach entails creating a digital twin model of the printed wall which is then subjected to realistic load conditions for a single-story building. The results indicate that the compressive strength of the wall is significantly over the required limits with negligible displacement. The study highlights the need for new regulations and standards for emerging construction methods and technologies such as 3DCP in the UK.</i></p>