Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Application of Low-carbon Concrete for 3D Printing in the Construction Industry is a collaboration between the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM) and Carbon Upcycling Technologies (CUT). It seeks to address the critical challenge of integrating sustainable, low-carbon concrete mixes into 3D printing construction systems. This is crucial to reduce the environmental impact of cement production, particularly as 3D printable concrete inks consume higher cement content than conventional concrete mixes. The project’s primary objective is the optimization and application of CUT’s carbon-sequestered supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for 3D printing. In addition to its positive environmental impacts, this project can facilitate the adoption of 3D printing technologies in the construction industry, thereby helping to bridge the growing gap in housing supply. This is particularly important as the capacity to meet housing demand is currently hindered by a shrinking workforce and a declining interest from the new generation in traditional construction trades. The proposed solution involves four key technical objectives: 1) conducting a comparative analysis of raw and treated (carbon-sequestered) SCM-based concrete mixes; 2) improving the printability of the treated (carbon-sequestered) SCM-based concrete mixes through chemical admixtures; 3) optimizing 3D printing process parameters to achieve high mechanical performance; and 4) developing guidelines and performance evaluations for the practical application of these innovative concrete mixes. This project’s novelty is in the application of carbon-sequestered SCMs, which not only reduce CO2 emissions but can also improve the mechanical properties of concrete, making it suitable for 3D printing. This approach is expected to yield new knowledge and expertise in formulating and optimizing 3D printable concrete mixes, which can be transferred to Canadian companies, promoting sustainable construction practices. The benefits to Canadian companies include developing competitive low-carbon concrete products, fostering innovation in the construction sector, and contributing to environmental sustainability goals. The CIRAMM team will gain valuable research insights and enhance its capacity in applied materials science, while the broader research discipline will benefit from advancements in sustainable construction technologies.