Progress in 3D concrete printing

A research team at Missouri S&T is currently working to make the 3D printing of concrete faster, stronger and more resilient for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Through our research, we hope to develop new fiberreinforced concrete composites that can be 3D printed,” says Dr. Kamal Khayat, S&T’s vice chancellor for research and innovation. “This type of printing can allow for faster construction of protective battlefield structures including temporary bridges, military barracks, guardhouses, bunkers and blast-resistant shields, which can reduce risks to soldiers in volatile areas.”

Right now, S&T researchers are working on two projects funded by grants related to this endeavor. One is for $320,000 through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This grant began in April 2022 and will last for two years. The other, which was for $360,000, was awarded to S&T through Florida International University, but this is part of a larger project that is also through the Corps of Engineers. This grant was awarded during the fall of 2022 and will be ongoing until August 2025.

“There are distinct differences between the aims and scope of work of these grants, but they have the same general goals in mind in advancing the state-of-the-art additive construction of concrete structures,” says Khayat. “For both, we are aiming to print fiber-reinforced concrete