Bridge columns are usually cast in concrete. That is valid for both concrete, steel, timber and composite bridges. The requirements are high; they deal with requirements on both the permanent column (load-carrying capacity, stability, durability, aesthetics) and the production (casting ability, economy, climate footprint, working environment).
Traditionally, concrete columns are cast in a temporary mold of steel or wood. Producing and erecting the formwork takes time, costs money, and the formwork cannot always be recirculated. One alternative is permanent shuttering and here there are experiences with permanent steel molds. Here, we want to go further and investigate a modern alternative, 3D-printed concrete making the mold, shutter or formwork that is subsequently filled with Self-C ompacted C oncrete (SC C ).
The aim in this pilot study is to:
- Investigate the possibilities to cast concrete columns in permanent molds of 3D-printed concrete by trying to find answers to a dozen research questions identified below and
- Develop a project proposal containing a detailed test program based on the pilot study and its research questions.
They cover, e.g., mix design for 3DP concrete and SCC, bond, reinforcement, form pressure, durability, architectural expressions, and robotics. The methodology in the pilot study consists of literature surveys, study visits, interviews, and program and report writing. The project is a cooperation between The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm (the applicant), Luleå Technical University, the ready mix concrete company Betongindustri and the robot entrepreneur ConcretePrint.
Projektledare: Johan L Silfwerbrand, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan