In recent years, only a few building material industries have undergone such a transformation than that of concrete. Most of the headlines are the increasing possibilities of how carbon can be reduced, recorded or used in different phases of the production of concrete.
Low carbon concrete is certainly important in the future. In the research level, more will take place, which can affect the way in which its original life is formed, used and treated later.
Researchers on MIT have developed a method to use slightly treated mud, including the floor from a construction site, to create “shell forms” into which concrete is poured. These 3D printed sludge shapes can replace the elaborate wooden shape work, which are currently used in concrete construction and too much reduced costs.
The MIT development team says that the soil material in combination with additives such as straw and a wax-like coating to prevent water from flowing out of the concrete is firm enough to handle grated concrete. Any number of custom formwork shapes can be created. This form method would not only reduce the costs, but also reduce carbon and be infinitely recyclable after use.
“We have demonstrated that we can essentially absorb the soil on which we stand, or waste soil from a construction site and transform it into precise, highly complex and flexible formwork for tailor -made concrete structures,” says Sandy Curth, a doctoral student in the architectural department of With who contributed to leading the project.
Another challenge through ongoing research is the brittle nature of concrete.
“Concrete itself shows no train properties. If you have a piece of concrete and pull it apart, it can easily break. It is a very brittle material, ”says Maryam Hojati from the Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering by Gerald May at the University of New Mexico. “Concrete is a great material for compression, but when it comes to tensions, it is a weak material.”
Hojati and two employees have patented a self-reinforced ultra-ductile cement material. It depends in particular on the 3D concrete pressure, so that it can be removed from the currently required reinforcement bars and reinforcement strengths.
The challenge was to develop a cement -like material that contains enough fiber to be firm and at the same time maintain viscosity so that it goes through the pressure nozzle without getting stuck, explains the publication of the university. The end result was a mixture that could hold the entire concrete together when it was exposed to bending or voltage load, says Hojati.
In other words, Hojati's team has developed a bendable printable concrete substance.
“If we use this material on a larger scale, we can minimize the requirement of external reinforcement for the printed concrete structure.”
Another development was made by Chinese scientists who are referred to as cross -light concrete (LTC) and which could expand the decorative use of concrete in buildings.
“LTC is a combination of internal lighting elements that are embedded in a cement matrix. The light source can be outdoors or internal light, and the light -conducting elements can consist of other materials, such as glass, transparent resin, optical fibers, etc., ”the researchers write. “LTC can be applied to the construction of facades to reduce the energy consumption of the building. Paving to increase visibility and security; and decorations outdoors in parks to strengthen their aesthetic attraction. “
Understanding the LTC potential is an early yet promising stage and waiting for data on mechanical, easy transmission and durability properties, not to mention the cost factors.
And after all, it may not necessarily be the end of the street for concrete, although life after the death of concrete was considered to be limited, in contrast to reusable building components such as steel, aluminum and wood.
The Australia's Flinders University and the writing experts from the University of Melbourne develop a “value add” for old broken concrete by upcycling grobag gregat using a weak graph solution for the production of concrete, which may be superior to untreated recycled road agents in a cement base.
John Bleasby is a freelance writer. Send comments and innovation columns to editor@dailycommercialnews.com.