UROP Project
Experimental Characterization of the Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed Concrete
3D-Printed Concrete, Concrete Materials, Experimental Testing, Mechanical Behavior, Additive Manufacturing
Research Mentor: Chunpeng Qu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: cq22b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: cq22b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering background
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Bus to engineering campus Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering background
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Bus to engineering campus Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
3D-printed concrete (3DPC) is an emerging construction technology that enables automated fabrication of concrete structures without conventional formwork. Unlike conventionally cast concrete, 3DPC is produced layer by layer, creating interfaces between printed layers that can influence its mechanical behavior. As a result, the strength and failure behavior of 3DPC may depend on the orientation of the printed layers relative to the applied load.This project will experimentally investigate the mechanical behavior of 3D-printed concrete, with particular emphasis on the effects of layer orientation and interlayer interfaces. Laboratory testing will include compression tests on specimens with different layer orientations and mechanical tests designed to characterize the shear behavior of interfaces between printed layers. Experimental measurements will be used to evaluate properties such as strength, deformation, and failure mode. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the anisotropic mechanical behavior of 3D-printed concrete and provide experimental data for the development and evaluation of engineering approaches for 3D-printed concrete structures.
Research Tasks: The research assistant will participate in different stages of the experimental research process. Specific activities may include:
Conducting a literature review on the mechanical behavior and testing of 3D-printed concrete.
Assisting with preparation, measurement, labeling, and documentation of 3D-printed concrete specimens.
Assisting with compression tests of specimens with different printing-layer orientations.
Assisting with experimental testing of interlayer shear behavior.
Recording experimental observations, including cracking and failure modes.
Organizing and processing experimental data.
Preparing plots and comparing results among different specimen configurations.
Documenting experimental procedures and results.
Interpreting results and assisting with preparation of a research poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Interest in experimental research, engineering, construction materials.
Willingness to work in a laboratory environment and learn experimental procedures.
Ability to follow laboratory and safety procedures carefully.
Reliability and attention to detail when collecting and recording experimental data.
Recommended:
Civil, mechanical, materials, or related engineering background.
Basic familiarity with concrete or engineering materials.
Previous laboratory or experimental research experience.
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal as a mentor is to help undergraduate researchers develop both practical research skills and an understanding of how engineering research is conducted. At the beginning of the project, I will provide guidance and training on the background of the research, laboratory procedures, experimental methods, and data analysis. Tasks will initially be clearly defined and performed with close supervision.As the student gains experience, I will encourage increasing independence in conducting experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and identifying research questions. We will meet regularly to discuss progress, problems, and upcoming tasks. I will encourage the student to ask questions, understand the reasoning behind experimental decisions, and view unexpected results or mistakes as opportunities to improve the research process. By the end of the project, the student should have meaningful ownership of their work and be able to communicate their methods and findings through the Undergraduate Research Symposium presentation.