Search results

1 – 10 of 143
Article
Publication date: 1 January 2024

Shrutika Sharma, Vishal Gupta, Deepa Mudgal and Vishal Srivastava

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is highly dependent on printing process parameters for achieving high mechanical strength. It is a time-consuming and expensive operation to…

Abstract

Purpose

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is highly dependent on printing process parameters for achieving high mechanical strength. It is a time-consuming and expensive operation to experiment with different printing settings. The current study aims to propose a regression-based machine learning model to predict the mechanical behavior of ulna bone plates.

Design/methodology/approach

The bone plates were formed using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique, with printing attributes being varied. The machine learning models such as linear regression, AdaBoost regression, gradient boosting regression (GBR), random forest, decision trees and k-nearest neighbors were trained for predicting tensile strength and flexural strength. Model performance was assessed using root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and mean absolute error (MAE).

Findings

Traditional experimentation with various settings is both time-consuming and expensive, emphasizing the need for alternative approaches. Among the models tested, GBR model demonstrated the best performance in predicting both tensile and flexural strength and achieved the lowest RMSE, highest R2 and lowest MAE, which are 1.4778 ± 0.4336 MPa, 0.9213 ± 0.0589 and 1.2555 ± 0.3799 MPa, respectively, and 3.0337 ± 0.3725 MPa, 0.9269 ± 0.0293 and 2.3815 ± 0.2915 MPa, respectively. The findings open up opportunities for doctors and surgeons to use GBR as a reliable tool for fabricating patient-specific bone plates, without the need for extensive trial experiments.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is limited to the usage of a few models. Other machine learning-based models can be used for prediction-based study.

Originality/value

This study uses machine learning to predict the mechanical properties of FDM-based distal ulna bone plate, replacing traditional design of experiments methods with machine learning to streamline the production of orthopedic implants. It helps medical professionals, such as physicians and surgeons, make informed decisions when fabricating customized bone plates for their patients while reducing the need for time-consuming experimentation, thereby addressing a common limitation of 3D printing medical implants.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 October 2023

Megavannan Mani, Thiyagu Murgaiyan and Pradeep Kumar Krishnan

This study focuses on the structural performance assessment of hybrid polymer composites for pick-and-place robot grippers used in critical infrastructure. This research involved…

Abstract

Purpose

This study focuses on the structural performance assessment of hybrid polymer composites for pick-and-place robot grippers used in critical infrastructure. This research involved the creation of composite materials with different nanoparticle concentrations, followed by extensive testing to assess the mechanical properties of the materials, such as strength, stiffness and durability.

Design/methodology/approach

The composites comprised bidirectional interply inclined carbon fibers (C), S-glass fibers (SG), E-glass (EG), an epoxy matrix and silica nanoparticles (SNiPs). During construction, the composite materials must be carefully layered using quasi-static sequence techniques (45°C1/45°SG2/45°EG2/45°C1/45°EG2/45°SG2/45°C1) to obtain the epoxy matrix reinforcement and bonding using 0, 2, 4 and 6 wt. % of silica nanoparticles.

Findings

According to various test findings, the 4 wt. % of SNiPs added to polymer plates exhibits the maximum strength outcomes. The average results of the tensile and flexural tests for the polymer composite plates with 4 wt. % addition SNiPs were 127.103 MPa and 223.145 MPa, respectively. The average results of the tensile and flexural tests for the plates with 0 wt.% SNiPs were 115.457 MPa and 207.316 MPa, respectively.

Originality/value

The authors hereby attest that the research paper they have submitted is the result of their own independent and unique labor. All of the sources from which the thoughts and passages were derived have been properly credited. The work has not been submitted for publication anywhere and is devoid of any instances of plagiarism.

Highlights

 

  1. The study enhances the engineering materials for innovative applications.

  2. The study explores the mechanical behavior of carbon/S-glass/E-glass fiber composites.

  3. Silica nanoparticles were enhancing mechanical characteristics of the composite structure.

The study enhances the engineering materials for innovative applications.

The study explores the mechanical behavior of carbon/S-glass/E-glass fiber composites.

Silica nanoparticles were enhancing mechanical characteristics of the composite structure.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

P. Gunasekar, Anderson A. and Praveenkumar T.R.

Composite materials have revolutionized the aerospace industry by offering superior structural qualities over traditional elements. This study aims to focus on the development and…

Abstract

Purpose

Composite materials have revolutionized the aerospace industry by offering superior structural qualities over traditional elements. This study aims to focus on the development and testing of bamboo natural fiber-based composites enhanced with SiO2 nanoparticles.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation involved fabricating specimens with varying nanoparticle compositions (0, 10 and 20%) and conducting tensile, flexural, impact and fracture toughness tests. Results indicated significant improvements in mechanical properties with the addition of nanoparticles, particularly at a 10% composition level.

Findings

This study underscores the potential of natural fiber composites, highlighting their environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness and improved structural properties when reinforced with nanoparticles. The findings suggest an optimal ratio for nanoparticle integration, emphasizing the critical role of precise mixing proportions in achieving superior composite performance.

Originality/value

The tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance and fracture toughness exhibited notable enhancements compared with the 0 and 20% nanoparticle compositions. The 10% composition showed the most promising outcomes, showcasing increased strength across all parameters.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2023

Rodrigo Enzo de Prada, Guillermo Rubén Bossio and Mariano Martín Bruno

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the amount of material used and printing parameters affect the mechanical and water sorption properties of acrylonitrile butadiene…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the amount of material used and printing parameters affect the mechanical and water sorption properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene printed parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The specimens were printed using different printing parameters such as shell number, infill pattern and printing orientation, while accounting for the amount of material used. The mechanical properties of the printed parts were then evaluated using tensile, compression and flexural tests, along with sorption tests.

Findings

The results revealed that the maximum tensile stress of 31.41 MPa was obtained when using 100% infill and a horizontal printing orientation. Similarly, the maximum flexural strength and compression of 40.5 MPa and 100.7 MPa, respectively, were obtained with 100% infill. The printing orientation was found to have a greater impact on mechanical behavior compared to the number of shells or infill patterns. Specifically, the horizontal printing orientation resulted in specimens with at least 25% greater strength compared to the vertical printing orientation. Furthermore, the relationship between the amount of material used and strength was evident in the tensile and flexural tests, which showed a close correlation between the two.

Originality/value

This study’s originality lies in its focus on optimizing the amount of material used to achieve the best strength-to-mass ratio and negligible water infiltration. The findings showed that specimens with two shells and a 60% infill density exhibited the best strength-to-mass ratio.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 29 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 November 2023

Annada Prasad Moharana, Ratnesh Raj and Amit Rai Dixit

The industrial application of continuous glass fabric-reinforced polymer composites (GFRPCs) is growing; however, the manufacturing boundedness of complex structures and the high…

Abstract

Purpose

The industrial application of continuous glass fabric-reinforced polymer composites (GFRPCs) is growing; however, the manufacturing boundedness of complex structures and the high cost of molds restrict their use. This research proposes a three-dimensional (3 D) printing process for GFRPCs that allows low-cost and rapid fabrication of complex composite parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The composite is manufactured using a digital light processing (DLP) based Vat-photopolymerization (VPP) process. For the composites, suitable resin material and glass fabrics are chosen based on their strength, stiffness, and printability. Jacob's working curve characterizes the curing parameters for adequate adhesion between the matrix and fabrics. The tensile and flexural properties were examined using UTM. The fabric distribution and compactness of the cured resin were analyzed in scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

The result showed that the object could print at a glass fabric content of 40 volume%. In DLP-based VPP printing technology, the adequate exposure time was found to be 30 seconds for making a GFRPC. The tensile strength and Young's modulus values were increased by 5.54 and 8.81 times, respectively than non-reinforced cured specimens. The flexural strength and modulus were also effectively increased to 2.8 and 3 times more than the neat specimens. In addition, the process is found to help fabricate the functional component.

Originality/value

The experimental procedure to fabricate GFRPC specimens through DLP-based AM is a spectacular experimental approach.

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Celia Rufo-Martín, Ramiro Mantecón, Geroge Youssef, Henar Miguelez and Jose Díaz-Álvarez

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a remarkable biocompatible material for bone cement and regeneration. It is also considered 3D printable but requires in-depth…

Abstract

Purpose

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a remarkable biocompatible material for bone cement and regeneration. It is also considered 3D printable but requires in-depth process–structure–properties studies. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic effects of processing parameters and sterilization on PMMA-based implants.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach comprised manufacturing samples with different raster angle orientations to capitalize on the influence of the filament alignment with the loading direction. One sample set was sterilized using an autoclave, while another was kept as a reference. The samples underwent a comprehensive characterization regimen of mechanical tension, compression and flexural testing. Thermal and microscale mechanical properties were also analyzed to explore the extent of the appreciated modifications as a function of processing conditions.

Findings

Thermal and microscale mechanical properties remained almost unaltered, whereas the mesoscale mechanical behavior varied from the as-printed to the after-autoclaving specimens. Although the mechanical behavior reported a pronounced dependence on the printing orientation, sterilization had minimal effects on the properties of 3D printed PMMA structures. Nonetheless, notable changes in appearance were attributed, and heat reversed as a response to thermally driven conformational rearrangements of the molecules.

Originality/value

This research further deepens the viability of 3D printed PMMA for biomedical applications, contributing to the overall comprehension of the polymer and the thermal processes associated with its implementation in biomedical applications, including personalized implants.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Rawan Ramadan, Hassan Ghanem, Jamal M. Khatib and Adel M. ElKordi

The purpose of this paper is to check the feasibility of using biomaterial such as of Phragmites-Australis (PA) in cement paste to achieve sustainable building materials.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to check the feasibility of using biomaterial such as of Phragmites-Australis (PA) in cement paste to achieve sustainable building materials.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, cement pastes were prepared by adding locally produced PA fibers in four different volumes: 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% for a duration of 180 days. Bottles and prisms were subjected to chemical shrinkage (CS), drying shrinkage (DS), autogenous shrinkage (AS) and expansion tests. Besides, prism specimens were tested for flexural strength and compressive strength. Furthermore, a mathematical model was proposed to determine the variation length change as function of time.

Findings

The experimental findings showed that the mechanical properties of cement paste were significantly improved by the addition of 1% PA fiber compared to other PA mixes. The effect of increasing the % of PA fibers reduces the CS, AS, DS and expansion of cement paste. For example, the addition of 2% PA fibers reduces the CS, expansion, AS and DS at 180 days by 36%, 20%, 13% and 10%, respectively compared to the control mix. The proposed nonlinear model fit to the experimental data is appropriate with R2 values above 0.92. There seems to be a strong positive linear correlation between CS and AS/DS with R2 above 0.95. However, there exists a negative linear correlation between CS and expansion.

Research limitations/implications

The PA used in this study was obtained from one specific location. This can exhibit a limitation as soil type may affect PA properties. Also, one method was used to treat the PA fibers.

Practical implications

The utilization of PA fibers in paste may well reduce the formation of cracks and limit its propagation, thus using a biomaterial such as PA in cementitious systems can be an environmentally friendly option as it will make good use of the waste generated and enhance local employment, thereby contributing toward sustainable development.

Originality/value

To the authors best knowledge, there is hardly any research on the effect of PA on the volume stability of cement paste. Therefore, the research outputs are considered to be original.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2023

Fatma Bouzeboudja and Abdelmadjid Si Salem

To contribute to the identification of the parameters influencing the behavior of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the flexural…

Abstract

Purpose

To contribute to the identification of the parameters influencing the behavior of textile-reinforced concrete (TRC), the purpose of this paper is to investigate the flexural behavior of TRC-based plates under four-point bending notably designed in the context of sustainable development and the substitution of mortar components with natural and abundant materials.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive experimental campaign was focused about two main parameters. The first one emphases the textile reinforcements, such as the number of layers, the nature and the textile mesh size. In the second step, the composition of the mortar matrix was explored through the use of dune sand as a substitute of the river one.

Findings

Test results in terms of load-displacement response and failure patterns were highlighted, discussed and confronted to literature ones. As key findings, an increase of the load-bearing capacity and ductility, comparable to the use of an industrially produced second textile layer was recorded with the use of dune sand in the mortar mix design. The designed ecofriendly samples with economic concerns denote the significance of obtained outcomes in this research study.

Originality/value

The novelty of the present work was to valorize the use of natural dune sand to design new TRC samples to respond to the environmental and economical requirements. The obtained values provide an improved textiles–matrix interface performance compared to classical TRC samples issued from the literature.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2023

Balamurali Kanagaraj, N. Anand, Johnson Alengaram and Diana Andrushia

The present work focuses on evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC) by replacing the sodium silicate waste (SSW) in place of…

Abstract

Purpose

The present work focuses on evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC) by replacing the sodium silicate waste (SSW) in place of traditional river sand. The aim is to create eco-friendly concrete that mitigates the depletion of conventional river sand and conserves natural resources. Additionally, the study seeks to explore how the moisture content of filler materials affects the performance of GPC.

Design/methodology/approach

SSW obtained from the sodium silicate industry was used as filler material in the production of GPC, which was cured at ambient temperature. Instead of the typical conventional river sand, SSW was substituted at 25 and 50% of its weight. Three distinct moisture conditions were applied to both river sand and SSW. These conditions were classified as oven dry (OD), air dry (AD) and saturated surface dry (SSD).

Findings

As the proportion of SSW increased, there was a decrease in the slump of the GPC. The setting time was significantly affected by the higher percentage of SSW. The presence of angular-shaped SSW particles notably improved the compressive strength of GPC when replacing a portion of the river sand with SSW. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the performance of the GPC with SSW exhibited similar behavior to that of the mix containing conventional river sand, but it demonstrated a lower residual strength following exposure to elevated temperatures.

Originality/value

Exploring the possible utilization of SSW as a substitute for river sand in GPC, and its effects on the performance of the proposed mix. Analyzing, how varying moisture conditions affect the performance of GPC containing SSW. Evaluating the response of the GPC with SSW exposed to elevated temperatures in contrast to conventional river sand.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 June 2023

Farid Salari, Paolo Bosetti and Vincenzo M. Sglavo

Particles bed binding by selective cement activation (SCA) method is a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technique used to produce cementitious elements. A computer-aided design…

Abstract

Purpose

Particles bed binding by selective cement activation (SCA) method is a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technique used to produce cementitious elements. A computer-aided design file is sliced to generate G-codes before printing. This paper aims to study the effect of key input parameters for slicer software on the final properties of printed products.

Design/methodology/approach

The one factor at a time (OFAT) methodology is used to investigate the impact of selected parameters on the final properties of printed specimens, and the causes for the variations in outcomes of each variable are discussed.

Findings

Finer aggregates can generate a more compact layer, resulting in a denser product with higher strength. Fluid pressure is directly determined by voxel rate (rV); however, high pressures enable better fluid penetration control for fortified products; for extreme rVs, residual voids in the interfaces between successive layers and single-line primitives impair mechanical strength. It was understood that printhead movement along the orientation of the parts in the powder bed improved the mechanical properties.

Originality/value

The design of experiment (DOE) method assesses the influence of process parameters on various input printing variables at the same time. As the resources are limited, a fractional factorial plan is carried out on a subset of a full factorial design; hence, providing physical interpretation behind changes in each factor is difficult. OFAT aids in analyzing the effect of a change in one factor on output while all other parameters are kept constant. The results assist engineers in properly considering the influence of variable variations for future DOE designs.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 29 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

1 – 10 of 143