A Missouri S&T research team led by Dr. Kamal Khayat has been awarded $1.4 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop an artificial intelligence program that will determine the best locally-available materials for 3D-printed concrete.
The Army Corps will be able to 3D-print concrete structures more quickly without having to rely on large quantities of construction material.
“By harnessing the power of AI, our research team aims to streamline the process of material selection, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness,” says Khayat, S&T’s vice chancellor for research and innovation. “The AI program will evaluate a wide range of locally-available materials in various areas and identify the most appropriate combinations for 3D printing concrete.
“This will enhance the efficiency of the construction process, improve troop safety, pave the way for more sustainable practices and help expedite humanitarian assistance missions.”
Khayat also serves as S&T’s Vernon and Maralee Jones Professor of Civil Engineering and was listed as a top researcher in his field in an analysis by Stanford University. In this multidisciplinary project, Khayat is leading researchers in the fields of materials science and civil engineering as well as computer science.
This program can be used to create anything from barracks, temporary bridges, and guardhouses to defense obstacles.
The team’s goal is to have 50% or more of the materials be indigenous, or local, to replace traditional cement materials. Materials will be evaluated to see if they are easily pumped, extruded or used in construction.
Materials that could be used include natural minerals, agricultural waste and industrial byproducts, such as palm oil fuel, rice husk, dolomite, and ground glass. Khayat claims that these materials can also improve the sustainability of local communities and bring economic benefits to localities.
Khayat’s team will also consider a variety of fibers to reinforce the 3D-printed structures. The team will test metals and synthetic fibers, as well as fibers made from recycled and natural materials such bamboo, coconuts, glass, hemp and cellulose.
“This will be a comprehensive project that will make a significant difference in the mobility of our troops,” Khayat says. “The amount of supply chain issues for materials will be greatly reduced, as will the construction costs. Missouri S&T is a leading university for researching novel 3D printing of concrete materials, and we are proud to answer the federal government’s call to help with this important work.”
Khayat joined S&T’s faculty in 2011. Khayat has been a leader in high-performance, adapted concrete-rheology concretes and self-consolidating cement for many years. His efforts have been recognized with multiple awards, such as the Robert E. Philleo award by the American Concrete Institute Foundation’s Concrete Research Council and the lifetime achievement award at the International RILEM Conference on Rheology and Processing of Construction Materials.
About Missouri S&T
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System and located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 101 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top 10 universities for return on investment, according to Business Insider. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.