Computational modelling of fresh concrete

Accurate understanding of, and ability to model, the fresh state behaviour of concrete is crucial to the development of a number of emerging manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing techniques, that have the potential to revolutionize concrete construction. 3D printing techniques automate the construction process and remove the need for conventional moulds or formworks, by precisely placing the materials in sequential layers under a computer-controlled deposition process.

However, the design of suitable manufacturing processes relies on the ability to model the complex and still not-understood fresh state behaviour of concrete. Fresh concrete is often modelled through mesh-based methods that involve computationally expensive mesh-generation processes. Furthermore, the methods present inherent limitations in computations where boundaries are moving (i.e. the fluid body undergoes highly nonlinear deformations). This is the case for 3D printing processes. In this context, this project aims to develop a reliable mesh-free numerical framework to model concrete extrusion, deposition and setting and their role in the definition of the final layered geometry.