Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations

In response to challenges such as skilled labor shortages, reduced productivity, and the slow pace of digital transformation, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) offers a promising solution. Despite the growing interest in 3DCP as a construction solution, existing studies have primarily focused on material-...

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Main Authors: Tae-Kyung Kim, Sangwoo Oh, Jinsuk Lee, Won-Jun Dong, Bunleang Mak, Seongcheol Choi, Chang-Su Shim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221450952500600X
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author Tae-Kyung Kim
Sangwoo Oh
Jinsuk Lee
Won-Jun Dong
Bunleang Mak
Seongcheol Choi
Chang-Su Shim
author_facet Tae-Kyung Kim
Sangwoo Oh
Jinsuk Lee
Won-Jun Dong
Bunleang Mak
Seongcheol Choi
Chang-Su Shim
author_sort Tae-Kyung Kim
collection DOAJ
description In response to challenges such as skilled labor shortages, reduced productivity, and the slow pace of digital transformation, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) offers a promising solution. Despite the growing interest in 3DCP as a construction solution, existing studies have primarily focused on material-level behavior, while experimental verification of structural performance remains limited—particularly regarding the applicability of existing design codes and quality control specifications to members incorporating 3D-printed elements, highlighting the need for further structural-level investigations. To address this gap, this study examines effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork (3DPF) on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Two 3DPF and two cast-in-place beams were fabricated. Four-point bending tests evaluated crack patterns, failure modes, load–displacement relationships, and strain distributions, finding that 3DPF improved the flexural strength of RC beams, emphasizing its importance in structural design considerations. However, vertical crack patterns induced by weak interlayer bonding strength were observed, along with reduced displacement ductility in the 3DPF beams. Equivalent strengths between cast and printed materials were established to facilitate flexural strength analysis with cast specimens. A strain compatibility approach was proposed based on Eurocode 2, incorporating the equivalent strength of the printed material, an effective layer width, and the cross-sectional geometry of the 3DPF beam. The calculated values using this approach showed good agreement with the experimental results for nominal flexural strength and neutral axis depth.
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spelling doaj-art-c8f4b48ea7924e2e8e56c466be28b9d22025-08-20T02:00:54ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0480210.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04802Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigationsTae-Kyung Kim0Sangwoo Oh1Jinsuk Lee2Won-Jun Dong3Bunleang Mak4Seongcheol Choi5Chang-Su Shim6Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaCorresponding author.; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of KoreaIn response to challenges such as skilled labor shortages, reduced productivity, and the slow pace of digital transformation, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) offers a promising solution. Despite the growing interest in 3DCP as a construction solution, existing studies have primarily focused on material-level behavior, while experimental verification of structural performance remains limited—particularly regarding the applicability of existing design codes and quality control specifications to members incorporating 3D-printed elements, highlighting the need for further structural-level investigations. To address this gap, this study examines effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork (3DPF) on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Two 3DPF and two cast-in-place beams were fabricated. Four-point bending tests evaluated crack patterns, failure modes, load–displacement relationships, and strain distributions, finding that 3DPF improved the flexural strength of RC beams, emphasizing its importance in structural design considerations. However, vertical crack patterns induced by weak interlayer bonding strength were observed, along with reduced displacement ductility in the 3DPF beams. Equivalent strengths between cast and printed materials were established to facilitate flexural strength analysis with cast specimens. A strain compatibility approach was proposed based on Eurocode 2, incorporating the equivalent strength of the printed material, an effective layer width, and the cross-sectional geometry of the 3DPF beam. The calculated values using this approach showed good agreement with the experimental results for nominal flexural strength and neutral axis depth.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221450952500600X3D concrete printingPermanent formworkFlexural strengthAnisotropic behaviorEquivalent strengthStrain compatibility method
spellingShingle Tae-Kyung Kim
Sangwoo Oh
Jinsuk Lee
Won-Jun Dong
Bunleang Mak
Seongcheol Choi
Chang-Su Shim
Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
Case Studies in Construction Materials
3D concrete printing
Permanent formwork
Flexural strength
Anisotropic behavior
Equivalent strength
Strain compatibility method
title Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
title_full Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
title_fullStr Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
title_full_unstemmed Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
title_short Effects of 3D-printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental and analytical investigations
title_sort effects of 3d printed concrete permanent formwork on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams experimental and analytical investigations
topic 3D concrete printing
Permanent formwork
Flexural strength
Anisotropic behavior
Equivalent strength
Strain compatibility method
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221450952500600X
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