Study on flexural properties of 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete structures using acoustic emission and digital image correlation

Lattice-reinforced concrete is considered to be a new method to improve the quasi-brittleness, ductility and fracture toughness of concrete. 3D printing technology provides the possibility for lattice molding with complex structures. Therefore, 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete structures have aroused great interest. However, there are relatively few studies on the mechanical properties of 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete, and the effects of lattices with different structures are not considered. In this paper, the three-point bending properties of 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete with different reinforced structures are tested. Five different structures of lattices with identical volume reinforced ratio are designed and printed by selective laser sintering (SLS). The 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete structures are prepared, and the plain concrete without lattice is set as the control groups. Acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) technologies are combined to monitor the specimens from the surface to inside, and the differences in mechanical properties between the control specimen and lattice reinforcement specimens with different structures were compared. The test results show that the lattice can significantly improve the mechanical properties of concrete, and the rhombicuboctahedron (RO) lattice can significantly improve the maximal bearing capacity of concrete specimens under three-point bending. This test further demonstrates the feasibility of 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete structures, provides a new method to improve the quasi-brittleness and ductility of concrete.

Automated summary

This study focused on the mechanical properties of 3D printed lattice-reinforced concrete and compared different lattice structures. The results showed that lattice could significantly improve the mechanical properties of concrete, with the rhombicuboctahedron (RO) lattice being the most effective in enhancing the bearing capacity of concrete specimens.