Browsing by Author "Bester, Frederick Albrecht"

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    Rivet and wire rope reinforcement in extrusion-based printed concrete.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Bester, Frederick Albrecht; Van Zijl, Gideon P. A. G.; Kruger, Jacques; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: From its ancient origins, concrete stands as a testament to human ingenuity, evolving over millennia to become an indispensable material of modem construction_ Its journey, from rudimentary applications in ancient civilisations to the sophisticated techniques of today, mirrors the relentless pursuit of innovation in humanity. The historical trajectory of concrete, spanning from debated origins around 10 000 to 20 000 years ago to the architectural marvels of the Roman Empire, has been marked by continuous advancements The period between 1750 and 1910 witnessed a surge in further innovation, heralding the modem era of reinforced concrete This era is characterised by the advent of various reinforcement methods and the onset of scientific explorations into the intricate synergistic relationship between reinforcement and concrete. However, as we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the construction industry faces a paradigm shift. The environmental implications of construction, coupled with the inefficiencies inherent in traditional methods, necessitate the exploration of innovative concrete construction techniques. Among these, additive manufacturing with concrete, specifically extension-based concrete printing, emerges as a promising avenue to revolutionize the contemporary construction landscape. However, its widespread adoption hinges on addressing critical challenges, especially the automated integration of reinforcement during the printing process. This dissemination delves deep into extrusion-based concrete printing, aiming to address the pressing issue of reinforcement integration. Drawing Inspiration from the historical evolution of concrete reinforcement, the research seeks to further the extant knowledge of reinforcement strategies for extension-based concrete printing. Through a systems approach review, twelve unique reinforcement strategies are evaluated by gauging their alignment with the advantages of this novel technology. The research highlights the potential of fibre and wire rope entrainment as longitudinally aligned reinforcement technologies, given their alignment with the construction automation potential of the overarching additive manufacturing process. Furthermore, by enhancing the functionality of existing fastening technology, the dissemination introduces and experimentally evaluates a novel blind rivet-based reinforcement strategy. The research shows the potential of this strategy to bridge the interlayer interfaces during printing and enhance the structural integrity of printed concrete objects. The study also delves into the composite action of printed concrete and longitudinal wire rope reinforcement, assessing the reliability of different anchorage methods, culminating in the establishment of analytical smeared-cracking models grounded in established standards These models provide deeper insights into the behaviour of printed concrete reinforced with longitudinally aligned wire ropes. In essence, this dissemination offers a comprehensive exploration of reinforcement strategies for extrusion-based concrete printing It aims to aid in bridging the gap between traditional construction techniques and the potential of additive manufacturing in construction Through rigorous experimentation and analysis, the research provides a roadmap for the futile of reinforced concrete printing, paving the way for more efficient and innovative construction methodologies. The findings presented herein are composed to shape the next chapter in the storied history of concrete, merging the lessons of the past with the possibilities of the future.