Short-Term Deformability of Three-Dimensional Printable EVA-Modified Cementitious Mortars

This study experimentally examined the deformability of cementitious mortars modified with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) for use in extrusion-based additive construction. The research was based on the author’s previous study of the properties of fresh EVA-modified cementitious mixtures for use in additive construction via extrusion. The particular focus was on these mortars’ short-term deformation factors, including the modulus of elasticity, drying shrinkage, and thermal expansion. The experimental results indicate that as the EVA/cement ratio was increased, the compressive strength and elastic modulus tended to decrease but the maximum compressive strain increased. At 28 days, the drying shrinkage tended to increase as the EVA/cement ratio was increased. The coefficient of thermal expansion was also found to increase as the EVA/cement ratio was increased. A very high correlation was found between these three deformation factors and the EVA/cement ratio. Given these results, it was determined that the addition of EVA powder to EVA-modified cementitious mortars used in extrusion-based additive construction could adversely affect their short-term deformation factors. However, increasing the EVA/cement ratio resulted in a decrease in the modulus of elasticity, thereby reducing the level of stress caused by drying shrinkage and thermal expansion. This effect will eventually lead to improvements in the degree of extensibility, thereby offsetting the negative impacts. However, it is still desirable to minimize the EVA/cement ratio to the extent that adequate properties for the fresh material can be obtained.