Measurement of the Density of Formed Structures for Concrete 3D Printing (2023-08)¶

As one of the core parameters of three-dimensional (3D) printing, the density of formed structures directly governs the quality and performance of printed buildings or components. Therefore, it is critical to measure the density during printing. Here, we propose a density measurement system (DMS) and computational method for formed structures during concrete 3D printing (C3DP). The DMS includes a real-time weight monitoring system and software, and a 3D laser scanning system for measuring the volume of the formed structures. The corresponding method introduces parameters such as printing time, mass printing speed and relative density. Several 3D printing indoor experiments were conducted to illustrate the DMS and method. Experimental results show that the density of the formed structures during 3D printing can be measured quickly, quantitatively and with high accuracy. The density of the formed structures ranged from 2016 to 2179 kg/m3, with an average value of 2068 kg/m3. These results can provide a basis for evaluating the uniformity and quality of formed structures, as well as support the monitoring and feedback control of the process parameters during 3D printing, including printing time gap, printing speed, and mass printing speed.