Abstract
3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of turning a digitised 3D model into a physical object by adding layer upon layer of material – an additive process. Traditionally cement objects are formed by casting, a process that requires a mould that takes time to manufacture, produces waste and is costly for small scale production jobs. AM gives the freedom to produce complex and customisable geometries in a fast and economical manner that is available locally, removing the need for moulds, transport, and storage of large inventories. Worldwide, we use 50 billion tonnes of sand every year; the energy required extracting and processing it, and the damage caused to the environment is substantial. In NW Europe alone 65 million tonnes of fine aggregate are generated yearly from demolition wastes and are either disposed of in landfills or used as backfill. This waste cannot be recycled back in to concrete due to impurities and the need to meet rigorous construction standards. The aim of this research is to develop mortars for use in AM using locally sourced demolition waste. This poster presents the findings of the characterisation tests of several sources of recycled fine aggregate and their suitability for substituting sand in the development of mortar for AM.
Presenters
Sheryl LeeResearch Associate, PrintCity, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Waste, Recycling, Demolition, Concrete
