The mechanical properties of concrete lintel produced by 3D printing

3D printing using cementitious materials is the main technological innovation on the field of concrete technology. Despite of important progress in past years, this issue is still challenging. The present paper presents results of experimental program, which was focused on the determination of mechanical properties of concrete lintel reinforced by steel rebars. The mechanical testing was aimed at the determination of flexural strength and shear strength after 28 days of hardening. The applied procedure corresponded with the testing of conventional concrete lintels. The results obtained confirmed suitable mechanical properties of the developed element produced by 3D printing. With respect to the knowledge of the evolution of mechanical properties of the developed concrete mixture for 3D printing, the prediction of load capacity of this element has been predicted also for shorter periods of the hardening. It was found that the developed lintel could be applied just after 24 hours after its production.