Latest in 3D-printed concrete: strength, durability, reduced emissions

Osman Ozbulut, a professor in UVA's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said: “Our goal was to design a printable concrete that performs better and is more eco-friendly. The addition of graphene to LC2 cement offers a unique opportunity to lower carbon emissions while maintaining the strength and flexibility required for 3D printed construction.”

The study, led by visiting scholar Tuğba Baytak alongside doctoral researchers Tawfeeq Gdeh and others at the Resilient and Advanced Infrastructure Laboratory, focused on the flow properties, mechanical performance, and environmental impacts of this new material. By collaborating with the Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC), they successfully applied graphene – renowned for its exceptional mechanical properties – to LC2 cement, greatly enhancing its suitability for 3D printing applications.

Baytak remarked: “This kind of innovation is essential for the future of construction, and I'm proud to be part of the team driving this forward.”

A pivotal component of the research was a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by postdoctoral researcher Zhangfan Jiang, in collaboration with environmental engineering professor Lisa Colosi Peterson. The LCA indicated that this graphene-enhanced LC2 concrete could potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions by about 31% compared to conventional printable concrete mixtures.

Jiang elaborated, “Being able to see the full environmental footprint of this new concrete was important. It not only exhibits better mechanical performance but also has a lower environmental impact, making 3D concrete construction technology more sustainable compared to traditional 3D printing methods with higher carbon emissions.”

Colosi Peterson added, “It’s rewarding to see science push us toward greener building practices.”

The collaboration with VTRC enabled the UVA team to explore the material's applications in transportation infrastructure, thereby highlighting its practical relevance.

Ozbulut noted: “The VTRC collaboration was essential in uncovering the fundamental properties of this new concrete.”

Gdeh expressed enthusiasm about the project: “It's exciting to be part of a project that addresses both the technical demands of modern construction and the urgent need for more eco-friendly materials.”

The research team included Tugba Baytak, Tawfeeq Gdeh, Zhangfan Jiang, Lisa Colosi, Osman E. Ozbulut from the University of Virginia, and Gabriel Arce, a research scientist from the Virginia Transportation Research Council. Their article, titled "Rheological, Mechanical, and Environmental Performance of Printable Graphene-Enhanced Cementitious Composites with Limestone and Calcined Clay," was published in the Journal of Building Engineering in 2024.