CO2-Enhanced Concrete Is Better - 3-D Printing Method Developed
| Newsgroups | talk.politics.misc,alt.science,alt.construction,alt.politics.usa |
|---|---|
| Organization | wokiesux |
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-transform-co2-into-super-strong-3d-printed-concrete/ The structure also displayed better strength and durability. The printed concrete was up to 36.8 percent stronger in compression (how much weight it can bear) and up to 45.3 percent stronger in bending (how much it can flex before breaking) compared to regular 3D-printed concrete. . . . The concrete blocks were 3-D printed - basically kinda 2cm thick 'ropes' of concrete stacked up. However unless you NEED lots of exotic shapes, it'd probably be better to use ordinary cast blocks. In any case, moist CO2 injection does seem to improve the product. Likely affects crystal formation geometry. I think it HAS been done already, you CAN 3-D print an entire house using layered extrusions to build up and up. However we're talking LARGE 'printer' machines here, generally I don't see how it's worth all the effort and expense except as 'proof of concept'. If you want a 'molded' house, try using waste plastic/sand mix instead. Such parts can take the form of pre-fab bolt- together wall segments too. Took some searching, but waste plastic + sand is actually pretty damned good and strong enough for at least a 2 or maybe 3 floor home. Ideal mix seems to be 4 or 5 parts sand with the plastic serving as the 'glue'. The BEST concrete is made with volcanic ash or something very similar like coal fly-ash - the ROMANS thought up this one, then the secret was lost. There IS a whole lot of natural volcanic ash to be had - think Mt.St. Helens - and the supply is always replenished. Coal ash ... industrial countries have VAST mountains of the stuff everywhere. Ash-based concrete has a slightly different chemistry from 'Portland' cement. It's very strong, it LASTS the ages, even hardens underwater. Anyway, today, I'd strongly suggest going with pre-fab wall segments four to six inches thick (the latter if cat-3+ winds are an issue). They come on a truck, a crane just plops them into position. Very quick and you save the expense and possible screw-ups of masons putting in individual concrete blocks. Just slap an inch or two of insulating sheet and some wallboard on the inside and you've got a nice house in a third the time. This CO2 chemistry is NOT gonna be limited to just 3-D stuff. (Hey, WOOD wall-boards, not that cheapo gypsum-board crap ! :-) -- 033-33