Quantification of Porosity and Sorptivity in Fiber-Reinforced 3D-Printed Mortar : Connecting Material Composition and Structural Performance

Existing literature suggests an important connection between porosity in 3D printed cementitious composites (3DPC) and mechanical behavior, including strength, anisotropy, and permeability. Much of the body of knowledge shows that the relationship is more pronounced in 3DPC than in cast concrete [1–9]. In this preliminary study, quantitative observations of material microstructure, obtained by computed microtomography performed before and after fluid ingress, are combined with measurements of bulk sorptivity to compare the porosity of printed and cast samples of the same mortar. Measurements are taken near the extruded specimen edge and in the bulk (i.e. internal) of printed and cast specimens made from a fiber-reinforced material.