Why do concrete 3D printers lay the concrete in a zigzag shape? I know pouring it in a straight line makes it unstable, but the zigzag shape reduces the contact of the top layer to the layer below. What is the advantage?
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Presumably to decrease material costs, speed up printing time and reduce curing time. The thicker the concrete, the more time it takes to cure. You need it strong enough for the next layer by the time the print-head comes around again.
When the concrete is poured in a zigzag it has a thicker/wider base, meaning it can be built higher and walls can be wider before they need a corner for strength.
Additionally, small sealed voids in the wall improve the thermal insulation properties of the wall.
Last - if the wall has vertical voids with a zigzag infill between vertical walls, then those spaces can be used to run wires for power/phone/network or water pipes, to hide and protect them instead of surface mounting them inside,
Criggie
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The zigzag is more rigid. You can push a square into a trapezoid without putting any of the sides in compression or tension. However, if you make a trapezoid with two triangles, the diagonal dividing the trapezoid. into squares resists an external force changing the shape of the trapezoid. Thus, the zigzag takes less material for adequate support than making squares as does cinder blocks.
Look at steel joist design.
Perry Webb
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