Development of a Flexible, Shape-Adaptive and Waterproof Cementitious Composite Reinforced with 3D Textile

In this study, a flexible, shape-adaptive, and waterproof cementitious composite was developed by integrating 3D textile reinforcement with a specialized waterproofing membrane. This study aims to develop a next-generation building material that is lightweight, ductile, and resistant to bending and tensile forces, while also offering protection against water ingress. During the production process, carefully cut 3D textiles were placed into wooden molds and fully impregnated with CEM I type white cement, ensuring complete saturation of the textile structure. A waterproofing membrane was then applied as a protective surface layer to enhance durability and water resistance. After curing periods of 7 and 28 days under standard conditions, extensive mechanical testing was performed, including flexural strength, unit weight measurement, and both static and dynamic tensile tests on samples sized 30×30 cm and 10×30 cm. The experimental results demonstrated that despite its lightweight nature (approximately 0.87–0.88 kg/dm³), the composite achieved a high flexural strength of up to 16.95 MPa and tensile strength reaching 17.92 MPa. Stress-strain analyses revealed a significant energy absorption capacity, with elongation at break values approaching 30%, indicating excellent toughness. These combined mechanical and functional characteristics position the developed composite as an innovative and promising alternative for architectural applications that demand flexibility, shape adaptability, and resilience against harsh environmental conditions such as moisture and mechanical stresses.