Iowa State students build the future with 3D-printed ‘smart’ concrete

Faculty Member: Simon Laflamme

Co-PI: Shelby Doyle

Title: NSF CMMI

Description

At Iowa State, undergraduate and graduate students are stepping into the future of construction, moving beyond traditional methods to master the 3D printing of “smart” concrete. The project, supported by the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by Professor Simon Laflamme in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, focuses on how new technology can be integrated directly into the printing process to evaluate structural conditions in real-time.

The core of the research involves “functionalizing” parts of the 3D print. By doing so, the students impart the concrete with self-sensing capabilities. This means that rather than relying on external inspections, engineers can connect directly to the 3D-printed part to measure its deformation. This real-time data allows the team to evaluate the presence of internal defects, such as debonding, which can occur during the layering process of a print.

Impacts

Training students in these emerging construction technologies is critical to creating the next generation of engineers. By mastering these tools, students are preparing to enter a workforce capable of integrating advanced technologies that can transform how infrastructure is built and maintained.

Summary submitted by Simon Laflamme