Application and prospective of sand-type 3D printing material in rock mechanics: a review
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 13 June 2024
Issue publication date: 1 July 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the application of 3D printing technology, particularly using sand-type materials, in the creation of artificial rock models for rock mechanics experimentation.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a comprehensive analysis, this research explores the utilization of 3D printing technology in rock mechanics. Sand-type materials are specifically investigated for their ability to replicate natural rock characteristics. The methodology involves a review of recent achievements and experimentation in this field.
Findings
The study reveals that sand-type 3D printing materials demonstrate comparable properties to natural rocks, including brittle characteristics, surface roughness, microstructural features and crack propagation patterns.
Research limitations/implications
While the research establishes the viability of sand-type 3D printing materials, it acknowledges limitations such as the need for further exploration and validation. Generalizability may be constrained, warranting additional research to address these limitations.
Originality/value
This research contributes insights into the potential application of sand-type 3D printing materials in indoor rock physics experiments. The findings may guide future endeavors in fabricating rock specimens with consistent structures for practical rock mechanics applications.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research project is funded by the Visiting Researcher Fund Program of State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science (Grant No. 2020SDG01) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, CHD (Grant No. 300102282717).
Conflicts of interest or competing interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citation
Yu, C. and Tian, W. (2024), "Application and prospective of sand-type 3D printing material in rock mechanics: a review", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 1057-1069. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-12-2023-0427
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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