Microstructural examination of carbonated 3D-printed concrete.

The recent interest in 3D printing with concrete has generated great interest on how inhomogeneities arise and affect performance parameters, in particular strength and durability. With respect to durability, of particular interest is how 3D-printed layer interfaces can impact transport of species of interest, such as moisture, chlorides or carbon dioxide in carbonation processes. This is of particular interest considering that the primary use case of 3D-printed concrete has been as a lost formwork for a cast structural concrete, and thus it is of interest to determine the carbonation resistance.

Chemo-mechanics of salt damage in stone.

Many porous materials are damaged by pressure exerted by salt crystals growing in their pores. This is a serious issue in conservation science, geomorphology, geotechnical engineering and concrete materials science. In all cases, a central question is whether crystallization pressure will cause damage.