Numerical Analysis of 3d Printed Permanent Formwork for Reinforced Concrete

This study explores the structural viability of 3D-printed permanent formwork for reinforced concrete beams, focusing on their integration into construction systems. The research addresses the urgent need for innovative reconstruction solutions for large-panel buildings (LPS) in post-war Ukraine, emphasizing the limitations of traditional methods and the transformative potential of 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) technology. A numerical analysis of 32 beam configurations with varying reinforcement schemes was conducted to evaluate their load-bearing capacity, stiffness, and stress distribution. The findings highlight that incorporating 3DCP formwork with moderate reinforcement increases load-bearing capacity by up to 77 %, while enhanced reinforcement configurations achieve improvements of up to 177 %. Beams with 3DCP formwork demonstrate significant stiffness enhancements, with only a 15% increase in deflection under 76.8 % higher loads compared to conventional beams. However, stress concentrations in the formwork exceeded allowable tensile limits, underscoring the need for additional reinforcement in critical areas to prevent failure. This study underscores the practicality of 3DCP technology for structural applications, offering improvements in material efficiency, construction speed, and sustainability. The integration of digital fabrication and advanced structural design presents a robust framework for future applications in post-war reconstruction and beyond. Further experimental validation and optimization are required to address identified limitations and refine the proposed systems.