Feasibility study of using desalination brine to control the stiffness and early-age hydration of 3D printable cementitious materials

This paper proposes the use of desalination brine as a setting and hydration activator in set-on-demand 3D concrete printing. A series tests were conducted to investigate effect adding different concentrations on stiffness evolution early-age Portland cement mortars (PC mixtures) limestone-calcined clay-based cementitious materials (LC mixtures). Results show that, increasing concentration decreased slump, flowability initial time, well enhanced buildability, stimulated development within first hour. Furthermore, addition resulted an acceleration hydration, higher amount chemically bound water 1st day compressive strength. The abovementioned behaviors further promoted by doubling concentration. Due presence reactive aluminates calcined clay, first-day was slightly diminished intensity Friedel's salt observed LC mixtures compared that PC with same addition.