Foundation Piles-A New Feature for Concrete 3D Printers

Impact of 3D Printing on the Overall Project Success of Residential Construction Projects Using Structural Equation Modelling

After a decade of research and development, 3D printing is now an established technique in the construction sector, complete with its own set of accepted standards. The use of 3D printing in construction might potentially improve the outcome of the project as a whole. However, traditional strategies are often used in the residential construction industry in Malaysia, which causes serious public safety and health issues along with a negative impact on the environment. In the context of project management, overall project success (OPS) has five dimensions, such as cost, time, quality, safety, and environment. Understanding the role of 3D printing in relation to OPS dimensions in Malaysian residential construction projects would allow construction professionals to adopt 3D printing more easily. The aim of the study was to find the impact of 3D construction printing on OPS while considering the implications for all five dimensions. Fifteen professionals were interviewed to first evaluate and summarise the impact factors of 3D printing using the current literature. Then, a pilot survey was conducted, and the results were checked using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The feasibility of 3D printing in the building sector was investigated by surveying industry experts. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to investigate and validate the fundamental structure and linkages between 3D printing and OPS (PLS-SEM). A strong correlation was found between 3D printing in residential projects and OPS. Highly positive implications are indicated by the environmental and safety dimensions of OPS. Malaysian decision-makers may look to the outcomes of introducing 3D printing into the residential construction industry as a modern method for increasing environmental sustainability, public health and safety, reducing cost and time, and increasing the quality of construction work. With this study's findings in hand, construction engineering management in Malaysia's residential building sector might benefit from a deeper understanding of how 3D printing is used for improving environmental compliance, public health and safety, and project scope.

Study on the Dynamic Response Characteristics and p–y Curve of Straight and Inclined Pile Groups in Saturated Sands

This paper is based on a shaking table test of 2 × 2 straight pile groups and 2 × 2 inclined pile groups in non-liquefied sand and saturated sand with different thicknesses. Under the sine wave with a certain peak acceleration and frequency, the lateral dynamic response characteristics, the distribution law of the maximum bending moment envelope diagram, and the p–y curve of the straight and inclined pile groups are studied. The results show that the bending moment of the straight pile group is 3~4 times that of the inclined pile group at the bottom section of the pile in the 300 mm saturated sand. When the thickness of the saturated sand increases to 380 mm, the maximum bending moment of the straight pile group is 6~7 times that of the inclined pile group at the bottom section of the pile. Through the comparison of indicators, it shows that the inclined pile group can have better bending resistance when subjected to the same lateral dynamic load.

Assessment of Stress in the Soil Surrounding the Axially Loaded Model Pile by Thin, Flexible Sensors

Foundation piles transfer the applied vertical load to the surrounding soil by skin friction and base resistance. These two components induce stress in the soil. The load transfer is still not fully recognized, and some pile load tests analyses have raised many doubts. The present paper aimed to measure the stress levels during pile load tests in laboratory conditions. This research examined the possibilities of using thin, flexible sensors in measuring the stress in soil. Two sensors were used: tactile pressure sensor with mapping system and color film pressure sensors with digital analyzing. Calibration and preliminary tests of the sensors have been described. This calibration proved that this kind of sensor could measure the stress in the soil in laboratory conditions. The results of stress distribution in the soil, shown as pressure maps, have been presented. Significant stress changes were observed in pile load tests. Rough and smooth piles were compared in the analyses. Stress distribution was the result of simultaneous interaction of pile skin and base. The knowledge about stresses surrounding the pile allows us to carry out a deeper analysis of the pile–soil interaction.