Static Mixing for Set-on-Demand of Digital Concrete

Abstract

Digital fabrication with concrete requires set-on-demand and self-support of fresh material without formwork. To this end, the twin-pipe pumping strategy has been proposed, employing a motionless static mixer to introduce a chemical trigger into fresh concrete. In this short paper, we present the concept and recent progress in twin-pipe pumping. We start with the characterization and optimization of the static mixing process in both numerical and experimental approaches. This is followed by an overview of various twin-mixture designs based on different hydration reaction mechanisms. Finally, the mechanical behavior of twin-pipe concrete is discussed.