A DEM-Based Simulation Framework for 3D Concrete Printing with the Discrete Fresh Concrete Model

Resumo

Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is gaining traction as an innovative construction technique, offering notable advantages over conventional building methods. However, optimizing the material deposition process remains a key challenge, particularly concerning filament formation and stability during extrusion. This study combines the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with the Discrete Fresh Concrete (DFC) model to simulate the rheological behavior of fresh concrete during the printing process. We focus on evaluating the effects of printing speed and concrete mix design on the quality of single-layer deposition. Our results reveal that both deposition velocity and concrete formulation significantly influence filament consistency, with optimal layer continuity observed within a specific speed range for each mixture. Limitations in the original DFC model were identified, especially in capturing particle-particle and particle-surface tangential interactions related to energy dissipation. To address these issues, we propose enhancements to the material model by incorporating static friction and rolling resistance. With these improvements, the modified DFC model demonstrates strong potential for helping process optimization in 3D concrete printing applications.