Performance of 3D printed concrete formworks for bridge pillars focusing on casting

Abstract: In this context, the main objective of this project is to determine if 3D printed concreteformworks are able to not fall apart and later withstand the stresses produced byC40/50 and selfcompactingconcrete (SCC) castings. The purpose is to check thesuitability of this method applied to the construction of bridge pillars and its capabilityof covering and protecting the reinforcement placed in the casting. The methodconsists of the design and construction of the formworks, the casting of the SCCcolumns and the performance of compression and bond tests to samples extracted fromthe sections presented to check the resistance and the bond between the formwork andthe interior concrete casting.The results obtained showed that the formworks did not fall apart and could withstandthe stresses caused by the casting. In addition, the casting presented a better bond atthe bottom of the sections in both cases. Although C40/50 presented a higher bondand compression strength than SCC, it showed a bond problem at the top part thathighlighted the importance of vibrating the concrete mix properly.After analysing all the results a clear conclusion is not reached, so further research inthis field needs to be done in order to build bridge pillars with this technology.