Lunar soil-based polymers, created using lunar soil as a precursor combined with highly automated 3D printing construction methods, hold great potential for lunar base construction. However, technical challenges such as ambiguities in characterizing rheological behavior and difficulties in regulation limit their 3D printing workability. To address these issues, the applicability of the Bingham model, Herschel-Bulkley (H-B) model, and a modified Bingham model to TJ-1 simulated lunar soil-based polymer was investigated by analyzing the fluidity variation. The effects of the solid-liquid ratio, Ca(OH)2, and Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose ether (HPMC) on the 3D printing performance of the simulated lunar soil-based polymer were explored through one-way tests and standard deviation analysis. The results show that the modified Bingham model more accurately describes the rheological properties of TJ-1 simulated lunar soil-based polymer. HPMC proved to be an effective thixotropic agent for adjusting the 3D printing performance of the polymer. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the polymer doped with 0.15 % HPMC were 3.577 Pa and 0.733 Pa s, respectively, meeting the requirements for printability. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the simulated lunar soil polymers ranged from 1.84 to 3.58 Pa and 0.23-0.73 Pa s, respectively. Moreover, the compressive and flexural strengths of the simulated lunar soil polymers were significantly improved by adding Ca(OH)2. The optimal ratios for 3Dprinted simulated lunar soil polymers are a water-cement ratio of 0.30, 10 % NaOH, 8 % Na2SiO3, 6 % Ca(OH)2, and 0.10 % HPMC. Under these conditions, the 28-day compressive strength and flexural strength were 19.5 MPa and 6.9 MPa, respectively, meeting the strength standards of ordinary sintered bricks.The research results could provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent optimization of the simulated lunar soil base polymer mixing ratios for 3D printing.

Bentonite grouting is utilized widely in geotechnical engineering to stabilize the excavation and prevent seepage in sandy soils. However, the infiltration behavior of bentonite slurry in sandy soil is not well understood, primarily due to rheological blocking and the formation of a filter cake. This study performed infiltration column tests to investigate the infiltration behavior under various conditions, including slurry concentration, sand properties, grouting pressure, and infiltration duration. Monitoring included infiltrated distances (calculated from drainage volume), pore pressure at different depths, and bentonite distribution using methylene blue titration. Results indicate that rheological blocking occurs during the infiltration process as bentonite slurry, which is a shear-thinning fluid, increases in viscosity with a decreased shear rate. This phenomenon is more pronounced with higher slurry concentrations, leading to reduced infiltration distances. Additionally, in soils with pore throats smaller than bentonite particles, a filter cake forms above the surface of the grouted soil, decreasing the pore pressure and further reducing infiltration distance. The distribution of bentonite content remains consistent across the infiltrated zone, resulting in a linear pressure drop. Based on these findings, the study proposes a novel model that combines the generalized Darcy's law, the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model, and mass conservation of slurry to predict the spatiotemporal progression of the infiltration front. This model, which was validated using experimental data, accurately predicts the effects of rheological properties and filter cake formation on infiltration. The results of this study provide valuable insights into infiltration processes and enhance the application of bentonite slurry in grouting.