Abstract:Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC), also known as Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), exhibit tensile strain-hardening and multiple cracking behaviors. SHCC potentially offers a solution to overcome the incompatibility between 3D printing process and traditional rear addition methods. However, the integration of SHCC into 3D printing is not without its difficulties. This presentation addresses the challenges, proposes strategies to overcome them, and highlights the benefits of 3D printed SHCC.

Firstly, fiber agglomerates could cause failure during 3D printing. Rheological modification such as nanoclay addition is effective in lowering the fiber agglomerates. Secondly, customized nozzles are developed to improve fiber alignment along the printing direction, resulting in better mechanical performance at the hardened state. Thirdly, novel composite beams manufactured with 3D-printed permanent formwork plus cast infill materials show significantly improved mechanical performance.

Biographical Sketch:

Dr. Qian Ye is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. Prior to that, he was a researcher at the 3D Printing Center in Singapore and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Ghent in Belgium. D. degree from Columbia University, USA. His research interests are in cement and concrete rheology, especially in developing characterization methods to probe and control the viscoelastic properties and design of new cementitious systems.Dr.Qian is the member of American Concrete Institute and RILEM (The International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures).