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Foundation Piles-A New Feature for Concrete 3D Printers
Marcin Hoffmann1, Krzysztof Żarkiewicz2, Adam Zieliński2
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Piastów 19, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Concrete 3D printing offers a novel method for creating foundation piles, reducing settlement compared to shallow foundations. This innovative technique promises cost savings and faster construction for low-rise buildings.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Technology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is rapidly advancing in the construction industry.
- Current 3D printing applications include formwork, walls, and prefabricated elements, but not soil reinforcement piles.
- Foundation piles are critical structural components for building support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of producing concrete foundation piles using a concrete 3D printer.
- To evaluate the performance of 3D printed piles in terms of bearing capacity and settlement.
- To explore the potential of 3D printed piles as an alternative to traditional shallow foundations.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of concrete foundation piles in laboratory conditions using a concrete 3D printer.
- Development and application of pile pumping tools and procedures.
- Experimental measurement of pile bearing capacity and comparison with analytical calculations.
- Modeling of pile deployment under a foundation.
Main Results:
- 3D printed displacement piles exhibited reduced settlement compared to analyzed shallow foundations.
- Analytical calculations supported the experimental findings on pile performance.
- A model demonstrated the successful integration of 3D printed piles with a printed wall foundation.
Conclusions:
- Concrete 3D printing is a viable method for producing foundation piles.
- 3D printed piles offer a potential replacement for shallow foundations, especially for low-rise structures.
- This technology can lead to reduced foundation costs through shorter execution times and decreased material consumption.
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