Impact behaviour of 3D printed fiber reinforced cementitious composite beams

Recent interest has grown in using 3D printing for military and civil defense engineering, particularly for infrastructure resilience against impacts. This study delves into the impact resistance of 3D printed fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) beams. By analyzing varying fiber content, impact directions, and 3D printing nozzle sizes, the research found that the total energy dissipation of 3D printed FRCC beams was more than 40% higher and the 3D printed beams exhibited superior impact resistance compared to traditional beams, largely due to the fibers' role. The impact energy dissipation varied with different impact directions for the specimens, and the Z direction was identified as the most resistant, demonstrating anisotropic behavior in impact resistance. Smaller nozzle sizes in printing showed higher total energy dissipation, indicating increased impact resistance. X-ray analysis further revealed that the 3D printing process creates denser beams with better fiber–matrix adhesion and less porosity, improving overall impact resistance.