Measuring Thixotropic Properties in a Truck Mixer - Analysis by Numerical Simulation Using the PFI Material Model

Currently, 3D printing is getting an increasing attention as it can offer new advantages over the traditional construction methods. However, to be functional as a “printing-material”, the applied cement based material must possess a certain degree of thixotropic behavior. To speed up quality control at job site, it is relevant to investigate the possibility of using the truck mixer to measure such properties. This is the topic of the current paper, done by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). With this, the overall test environment is thoroughly controlled and the experimental error is avoided, thus allowing the truck’s true potential to be examined.

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