New revolutionary cement composite created by University of Virginia: it promises greater durability in the field of 3D printing

To contribute to the global effort in the construction field to reduce carbon emissions, the researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) conducted a study to create a cement-based composite that will be more sustainable and printable. This composite combines graphene with limestone and calcined clay cement (LC2), enhancing both strength and durability while reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, this innovative material will contribute to the already environmentally conscious 3D-printed construction field.

According to the researchers, the initial idea, showing superior performance, came from their need to create an eco-friendly concrete. In addition, the professor of UVA’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Osman Ozbulut, stated that the addition of graphene to LC2 cement, aids to produce a composite material that presents great potential to minimize carbon emissions without the need to compromise the strength and flexibility. The above are crucial to 3D-printed construction. 

In particular, the research was conducted by the visiting scholar Tuğba Baytak and UVA doctoral researcher Tawfeeq Gdeh at the Resilient and Advanced Infrastructure Laboratory. The main goal of them was to investigate the material’s flow characteristics, mechanical strength, and environmental benefits. In collaboration with Virginia’s Transportation Research Council (VTRC), Baytak and Gdeh leveraged graphene’s exceptional mechanical properties to significantly boost LC2 cement’s suitability for 3D printing. 

In addition, they incorporate into their study Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that was conducted by the postdoctoral researcher Zhangfan Jiang with the aid of the environmental engineering professor, Lisa Colosi Peterson. The findings of their research indicated that graphene-enhanced concrete could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 31% compared to traditional printable concrete formulations.

Zhangfan Jiang pointed out that the new composite material is a groundbreaking alternative for 3D-printed construction, as it demonstrates superior mechanical performance and produces fewer carbon emissions compared to conventional methods, thereby reducing its environmental footprint. Overall, the collaboration with VTRC allowed the UVA team to assess the material’s potential in transportation infrastructure, showcasing its practical applications.