INNOVATIVE CONCRETE

3D Printing Concrete

WHAT IS 3D PRINTING CONCRETE

Three-dimensional printing concrete (3DPC) technology is
a novel construction technique primarily using layered extrusion
for material deposition. Concrete is extruded from a nozzle and
automatically deposited layer by layer according to a digitally
designed printing route without using any formwork.

The ingredients of the concrete mix are similar to those found

in other concrete mixtures: water, cement, and aggregates. Besides,
there are increasingly optimizations to improve mechanical
properties of 3DPC, such as interlayer strength improvement with
mesh reinforcing, 3D concrete printing with fiber, and 3D concrete
printing with admixture
3D Printing Concrete

BENEFIT OF 3DPC

• Lower materials consumption since wall structures can be

topologically optimized and partially hollow
• Less waste, no need for large-scale concrete molds or formwork
• Faster building times when compared to laying bricks or concrete
molding

DRAWSBACK OF 3DPC

• High initial investment cost

• Limitations in print size
• Limited selection of materials
 Bendable Concrete

WHAT IS BENDABLE CONCRETE

It is a particular type of concrete that is bendable with a

ductile material that is altered to change its nature unlike
conventional concrete

COMPOSITION

Bendable concrete is composed of all the ingredients of

a traditional concrete minus coarse aggregates and is
reinforced with polymer fibres (Polyvinyl Alcohol-fibres )

WORK MECHANISM

Whenever the load increases beyond its limiting value

the strong molecular bond formed between PVA fibres

and concrete during hydration prevents it from cracking.
 Bendable Concrete

Features of Bendable Concrete

• The tensile strain capacity for bendable

concrete is between 3 to 5%
(0.1% conventional concrete)
• A Bendable concretes compressive strength
can go up to 70MPa.
• Bendable concrete has a tensile range of
between 10 to 15 MPa.
• The bendable concrete has a self-healing
property that is great for filling the micro-
cracks through the reaction between
rainwater and cement.
Self-Healing Concrete

Self-healing of concrete is the process in which the material regenerates itself repairing inner cracks.
This process can be produced by autogenous or autonomous healing

• Autogenous healing is a natural process, produced by carbonation and/or continuing hydration.

• Autonomous healing is based on the use of specific agents to produce self-healing, which can be added
directly to the concrete matrix, Some examples are superabsorbent polymers, crystalline admixtures,
microencapsulated sodium silicate, and bacteria.
 Advantages of Self-healing Concrete
Self-Healing
Concrete
• Self-healing concrete can get self-repair without any external
treatment.
• Compare to normal concrete it has better compressive and
flexural strength.
•  Reduce corrosion of steel as crack self-repair which is a
major reason starting corrosion.

Disadvantages of Self-healing Concrete

• Self-healing concrete cost is almost double compared to normal

concrete.

• Not many contractors know how to use this product yet. Because it is
a new product many people do not have an idea of using it.

• There is no code available to standardize the self-healing concrete.

 Translucent
Concrete

Translucent concrete is a smart

construction material that allows pass light
through it from one side to another side. It
works on the property of Nano-Optics which
is Plastic Optic Fibres (POF).The
translucent concrete is produced by adding
about 4% to 5% of optical fibres by volume
in concrete mix.

Translucent concrete is used in

floors, pavement, celling, load-bearing
walls, partition walls and other
architectural purposes
Translucent Concrete

Advantages
• Energy saving because reduce the electric power consumption 
• The weight property of this concrete is light in weight compared to normal concrete
• It has very good architectural properties for giving a good aesthetical view to the building.

Disadvantages
• The casting of transparent concrete blocks is hard for workers
so a special skilled person is needed.
• The concrete is very costly due to use of the optical fibers.
• It affects privacy.
Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete (also called permeable concrete) is

a special type of concrete with a high porosity that
allows water from precipitation and other sources to pass
directly through, thereby reducing the runoff from a site
and allowing groundwater recharge

Pervious concrete is made from a mixture of cement, coarse

aggregates, and water. However, it contains little or no sand,
which results in a porous open-cell structure that water passes
through readily
 Pervious Concrete

Advantages
• Reduction in surface run-off : The stormwater run-off reduces as the porous concrete surface lets the water seep through it to the
ground.Hence, the surface run-off reduces.

• Groundwater Recharge : The stormwater seeps through the previous concrete and infiltrates through the ground. It ultimately adds up
to the ground water increasing groundwater level.

Disadvantages
• Can not be used on pavements with heavy traffic flow.

• Requires longer curing time.

• Special design considerations need to be implemented.