3D Printed Smart Permanent Concrete Formwork for Precast Structural Component

The U.S. transportation infrastructure faces challenges with aging and deterioration, underscoring the need for advanced solutions to ensure longevity. Conventional structural health monitoring falls short in cost-effectiveness and adaptability. In contrast, self-sensing cementitious composites (SSCCs) present a notable alternative, offering both efficient monitoring and repair capabilities. Thanks to rapid advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) that provide design freedom for construction, this proposal will leverage AM techniques coupled with novel self-sensing materials to develop smart precast concrete permanent formwork with enhanced durability, safety, and sustainability. SSCCs will strategically be integrated within 3D-printed concrete formworks for real-time strain monitoring. This project will perform extensive load testing to evaluate sensing performance, further validated using digital image correlation. A sophisticated multiphysics model will further streamline design decisions. The outcome of this project will illuminate the transformative potential of modern construction techniques in elevating precast components, paving the way for a new generation intelligent infrastructure.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Louisiana State University

  3660G Patrick F. Taylor Hall
  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803
• Principal Investigators:

  Su, Yen-Fang

• Start Date: 20250101
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cement; Load tests; Precast concrete; Smart materials; Three dimensional printing
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01943059
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 22 2025 12:05PM