Session: 24-02 Additive Manufacturing - Session 2

Paper Number: 122599

122599 - Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Beams With Lattice Structures 

Lattice structures are employed to enhance mechanical strength in specific directions and reduce the structure's overall weight by removing materials from where there would be less contribution to the stiffness and strength under a certain loading. The mechanical properties of these structures vary depending on the geometric and topological configurations of the lattices in the systems where they are used, as well as depending on the material that the structures are made of and the technique selected for their manufacturing. Lightweight lattice structures have the potential to be used in rotating components. Commonly employed lattice structure types in the literature are hexagonal (honeycomb), rhombus, and tetragonal lattice structures. The numerical modelling of lattice structures typically relies on the principles of the Timoshenko beam theory and Bloch's theorem. Thus, they can be useful in protective equipment that can reduce the risk of failure and/or absorb impacts. As another use, athletic shoe soles can be made from lattice structures to increase shock-absorbing properties. Studies are ongoing on optimising these materials and structures for broader applications and providing more significant advantages. In this research, a detailed investigation is undertaken on the mechanical properties of various different lattice structures, which were previously modelled and analysed through analytical methods in literature. For the purpose of testing, specimen models are carefully generated through computer-aided design software, conforming to various lattice geometrical configurations. These digitally prepared test samples are then manufactured via a 3D printing technique called Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), employing Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) as the chosen material. To further refine the study, three distinct filament orientations are taken into account for the manufacturing process. Upon manufacturing, the resulting samples are subject to three-point bending tests, focusing on both mechanical and viscoelastic characteristics. Properties such as the modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and elongation at break are particularly assessed. This comparison is made against reference samples that, while maintaining consistent infill ratios and filament orientations, for a standard tetragonal lattice framework. This helps to highlight the variations in mechanical performance influenced by the diversity of lattice geometries under consideration.

Presenting Author: Inci Pir Istanbul Technical University

Presenting Author Biography: Inci Pir graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering (Double Major Program) at Istanbul Technical University with B.Sc degree. Inci got her M.Sc. degree in Solid Mechanics in 2022 and started her Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the same university. Inci works as a research assistant at the Istanbul Technical University Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2021.

Authors:

Inci Pir Istanbul Technical University
Serhat Arda Sahin Istanbul Technical University
Mertol Tufekci University of Hertfordshire
Ekrem Tufekci Istanbul Technical University