Ben Johnson, a sophomore in construction engineering, worked with Professor Kejin Wang as an undergraduate researcher to collect data and develop a plan for implementing 3D-printed concrete structures.
“Dr. Wang provided me with guidance and mentorship as I learned how to analyze and collect data. Graduate student Lyu Ping helped me with the programming and printing parts of the research,” said Johnson.
Johnson was able to go through an extensive research process—understanding the structural makeup of concrete, and learning how to use a 3D printer, along with entering and organizing the data.
“As the process progressed, I was excited when my responsibilities expanded. I defined our concrete’s characteristics and design structures. Then, I dove into existing 3D printing research using concrete to understand the work other groups have previously done,” Johnson said.
Johnson had the opportunity to prepare the concrete and run designs through the printer. He was also part of the strength testing process, bending, pulling, and compressing the printed structure. Johnson’s work on the project is a piece of Wang’s overall exploration of concrete capabilities like self-healing concrete, microstructures, and more. His involvement in undergraduate research was also an experience to equip him for his future career. With plans to enter the field upon graduation as a construction engineer, Johnson sees himself working with concrete every day.
“When I plan for my future, I see myself entering construction within a civil engineering space, working with concrete. The research process, the planning, analysis, finding new ways to efficiently accomplish a goal, are all skills I can use outside of the lab too,” said Johnson.
Johnson had undergraduate research experience building with 3D concrete and building industry-ready skills, in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering.
Interested in digging deeper into CCEE research? Check out the Undergraduate Research Program.