FLY ASH MORTAR FROM ASPHALT PLANT FOR 3D CONSTRUCTION PRINTING

Abstract

Recent advancements in additive manufacturing have extended its application to the realm of civil construction, necessitating the formulation of specialized mortars tailored for this technology. The dependency of mortar properties on locally sourced raw materials presents a challenge in adopting mortar compositions developed in other countries. This paper introduces mortars designed for additive manufacturing, utilizing Brazilian materials and incorporating asphalt fly ash, a byproduct residue. The developed mortars were evaluated using a laboratory-scale 3D printer equipped with a helicoidal screw-based extrusion system. The incorporation of asphalt fly ash significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of the dried mortar and improved the cohesion of the fresh mortar. The fresh mortar exhibited minimal slump (ranging between 10mm and 15mm) and demonstrated a compressive strength of approximately 30 MPa upon hardening. These findings indicate that the fly ash-enriched mortar is well-suited for additive manufacturing applications in civil construction, offering a promising avenue for the utilization of industrial byproducts in sustainable building practices.