Crack Detection in Concrete, 3D Printed Buildings Made Possible by Adding Graphene Oxide

Engineering students at the public research university Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in the Australian state of Victoria have developed an approach to produce a conductive and more stable concrete for 3D printing buildings. As part of their study, the scientists investigated how the addition of graphene oxide to concrete affects its printability in additive manufacturing. The study carried out by the scientists is the first of its kind and highlights the immense potential of concrete 3D printing in the construction sector.

The study by the Australian scientists from RMIT was recently published in the journal “Additive Manufacturing Letters”. In it, they detailed their observation that the electrical conductivity of concrete in additive manufacturing is improved by adding graphene oxide to the cement. Graphene oxide is a nanomaterial that is often used in electronic devices and batteries.

3D-printed concrete with added graphene oxide (photo credits: Jonathan Tran)

According to research leader and RMIT Associate Professor Jonathan Tran, the results of their investigations open up possibilities for the development of “smart” buildings, where in the future walls could act like sensors to detect and monitor small cracks as early as possible. Graphene oxide as an ingredient in the concrete mix enables an electrical circuit in concrete structures that can detect a wide range of environmental factors, such as temperature changes.