Properties of concrete elements with 3-D printed formworks which substitute steel reinforcement

After 35 years of development, 3-D printing is slowly entering civil engineering research programmes. The majority of civil engineering research effort is focused on 3-D printing of fresh concrete mix. 3-D printed concrete is limited by weak bonding between printed layers of concrete and lack of reinforcement. Authors propose a different approach for utilization of 3-D printing in civil engineering. 3-D printed plastic formworks for concrete with internal elements substituting steel reinforcement is a way to go. Mechanical characteristics of 3-D printed plastics is much weaker than characteristics of steel but an unconventional internal shape of formwork and the influence of a 3-D printed formwork itself can substitute much of the weaker mechanical characteristics of a plastic. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.