Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance

Jie Wu; Zhangyu Wu; Yanjie Qiao; Weiqi Dong; Rena C. Yu; Yujie Huang; Hui Zhang

doi:10.62762/JAMR.2026.817012

Volume 2, Issue 1, Journal of Advanced Materials Research

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026

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Journal of Advanced Materials Research, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026: 40-54

Open Access | Research Article | 24 February 2026

Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance

Jie Wu 1

Zhangyu Wu 2

Yanjie Qiao 1

Weiqi Dong 1

Rena C. Yu 3

Yujie Huang 1 *

Hui Zhang 1 *

1 School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China

2 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Construction Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China

3 ETS de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real 13071, Spain

* Corresponding Authors: Yujie Huang, [email protected] ; Hui Zhang, [email protected]

DOI: 10.62762/JAMR.2026.817012

ARK: ark:/57805/jamr.2026.817012

Received: 05 January 2026, Accepted: 08 February 2026, Published: 24 February 2026

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Abstract

3D-printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC), which combines high strength, high toughness, and construction flexibility, provides a solution to the reinforcement difficulty of conventional printed concrete. However, the layer-by-layer printing process induces pronounced anisotropy in compressive and flexural properties, which remains a key challenge for engineering applications. We used X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) to quantitatively analyse the internal pores and to reveal the orientation and distribution of steel fibres in 3DP-UHPC. Splitting tensile tests showed that the interlayer splitting tensile strength is approximately 49.3% lower than the conventional splitting tensile strength, and increasing fibre content has a limited strengthening effect. Analysis of the compressive anisotropy index $ \lambda_\text{c} $ indicates that, at $ V_\text{f} = 0% $, anisotropy is mainly influenced by weak interlayer interfaces and pore distribution. Linear fitting shows that a small fibre addition ($ V_\text{f} \leq 1.28% $) reduces compressive anisotropy, whereas higher $ V_\text{f} $ leads to an increase in $ \lambda_\text{c} $ due to fibre orientation. For the flexural anisotropy index $ \lambda_\text{f} $, interstrip interfaces and pores dominate at $ V_\text{f} = 0% $ and $ 0.5% $, while fibre distribution governs $ \lambda_\text{f} $ when $ V_\text{f} \geq 1.0% $, with an increase exceeding 60%. Within $ V_\text{f} = 0%-2.0% $, $ \lambda_\text{c} $ remains higher than $ \lambda_\text{f} $, indicating relatively stable compressive performance. These results provide experimental evidence for optimising the compressive and flexural performance of 3DP-UHPC components in engineering applications.

Graphical Abstract

Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance

Keywords

3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC)

mechanical anisotropy

compressive and flexural behaviour

steel fibre orientation

multi-scale damage evolution

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 52578336 and the Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program of China Association for Science and Technology under Grant YESS20240332.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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Cite This Article

APA Style

Wu, J., Wu, Z., Qiao, Y., Dong, W., Yu, R. C., Huang, Y., & Zhang, H. (2026). Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance. Journal of Advanced Materials Research, 2(1), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.62762/JAMR.2026.817012

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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Wu, Jie
AU  - Wu, Zhangyu
AU  - Qiao, Yanjie
AU  - Dong, Weiqi
AU  - Yu, Rena C.
AU  - Huang, Yujie
AU  - Zhang, Hui
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/02/24
TI  - Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance
JO  - Journal of Advanced Materials Research
T2  - Journal of Advanced Materials Research
JF  - Journal of Advanced Materials Research
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 40
EP  - 54
DO  - 10.62762/JAMR.2026.817012
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JAMR.2026.817012
KW  - 3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC)
KW  - mechanical anisotropy
KW  - compressive and flexural behaviour
KW  - steel fibre orientation
KW  - multi-scale damage evolution
AB  - 3D-printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC), which combines high strength, high toughness, and construction flexibility, provides a solution to the reinforcement difficulty of conventional printed concrete. However, the layer-by-layer printing process induces pronounced anisotropy in compressive and flexural properties, which remains a key challenge for engineering applications. We used X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) to quantitatively analyse the internal pores and to reveal the orientation and distribution of steel fibres in 3DP-UHPC. Splitting tensile tests showed that the interlayer splitting tensile strength is approximately 49.3% lower than the conventional splitting tensile strength, and increasing fibre content has a limited strengthening effect. Analysis of the compressive anisotropy index \( \lambda_\text{c} \) indicates that, at \( V_\text{f} = 0% \), anisotropy is mainly influenced by weak interlayer interfaces and pore distribution. Linear fitting shows that a small fibre addition (\( V_\text{f} \leq 1.28% \)) reduces compressive anisotropy, whereas higher \( V_\text{f} \) leads to an increase in \( \lambda_\text{c} \) due to fibre orientation. For the flexural anisotropy index \( \lambda_\text{f} \), interstrip interfaces and pores dominate at \( V_\text{f} = 0% \) and \( 0.5% \), while fibre distribution governs \( \lambda_\text{f} \) when \( V_\text{f} \geq 1.0% \), with an increase exceeding 60%. Within \( V_\text{f} = 0%-2.0% \), \( \lambda_\text{c} \) remains higher than \( \lambda_\text{f} \), indicating relatively stable compressive performance. These results provide experimental evidence for optimising the compressive and flexural performance of 3DP-UHPC components in engineering applications.
SN  - 3070-5851
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  -

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@article{Wu2026Engineerin,
  author = {Jie Wu and Zhangyu Wu and Yanjie Qiao and Weiqi Dong and Rena C. Yu and Yujie Huang and Hui Zhang},
  title = {Engineering 3D-Printed UHPC: Optimising Fibre Content and Printing Direction for Enhanced Mechanical Performance},
  journal = {Journal of Advanced Materials Research},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {40-54},
  doi = {10.62762/JAMR.2026.817012},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JAMR.2026.817012},
  abstract = {3D-printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC), which combines high strength, high toughness, and construction flexibility, provides a solution to the reinforcement difficulty of conventional printed concrete. However, the layer-by-layer printing process induces pronounced anisotropy in compressive and flexural properties, which remains a key challenge for engineering applications. We used X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) to quantitatively analyse the internal pores and to reveal the orientation and distribution of steel fibres in 3DP-UHPC. Splitting tensile tests showed that the interlayer splitting tensile strength is approximately 49.3\% lower than the conventional splitting tensile strength, and increasing fibre content has a limited strengthening effect. Analysis of the compressive anisotropy index \( \lambda\_\text{c} \) indicates that, at \( V\_\text{f} = 0\% \), anisotropy is mainly influenced by weak interlayer interfaces and pore distribution. Linear fitting shows that a small fibre addition (\( V\_\text{f} \leq 1.28\% \)) reduces compressive anisotropy, whereas higher \( V\_\text{f} \) leads to an increase in \( \lambda\_\text{c} \) due to fibre orientation. For the flexural anisotropy index \( \lambda\_\text{f} \), interstrip interfaces and pores dominate at \( V\_\text{f} = 0\% \) and \( 0.5\% \), while fibre distribution governs \( \lambda\_\text{f} \) when \( V\_\text{f} \geq 1.0\% \), with an increase exceeding 60\%. Within \( V\_\text{f} = 0\%-2.0\% \), \( \lambda\_\text{c} \) remains higher than \( \lambda\_\text{f} \), indicating relatively stable compressive performance. These results provide experimental evidence for optimising the compressive and flexural performance of 3DP-UHPC components in engineering applications.},
  keywords = {3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete (3DP-UHPC), mechanical anisotropy, compressive and flexural behaviour, steel fibre orientation, multi-scale damage evolution},
  issn = {3070-5851},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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