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Article
Publication date: 3 October 2023

Roberto Junior Algarín Roncallo, Luis Lisandro Lopez Taborda and Diego Guillen

The purpose of this research is present an experimental and numerical study of the mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in the additive manufacturing…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is present an experimental and numerical study of the mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in the additive manufacturing (AM) by fused filament fabrication (FFF). The characterization and mechanical models obtained are used to predict the elastic behavior of a prosthetic foot and the failure of a prosthetic knee manufactured with FFF.

Design/methodology/approach

Tension tests were carried out and the elastic modulus, yield stress and tensile strength were evaluated for different material directions. The material elastic constants were determined and the influence of infill density in the mechanical strength was evaluated. Yield surfaces and failure criteria were generated from the tests. Failures over prosthetic elements in tridimensional stresses were analyzed; the cases were evaluated via finite element method.

Findings

The experimental results show that the material is transversely isotropic. The elasticity modulus, yield stress and ultimate tensile strength vary linearly with the infill density. The stresses and the failure criteria were computed and compared with the experimental tests with good agreement.

Practical implications

This research can be applied to predict failures and improve reliability in FFF or fused deposition modeling (FDM) products for applications in high-performance industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical.

Social implications

This research aims to promote its widespread adoption in the industrial and medical sectors by increasing reliability in products manufactured with AM based on the failure criterion.

Originality/value

Most of the models studied apply to plane stress situations and standardized specimens of printed material. However, the models applied in this study can be used for functional parts and three-dimensional stress, with accuracy in the range of that obtained by other researchers. The researchers also proposed a method for the mechanical study of fragile materials fabricated by processes of FFF and FDM.

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2024

Muhammet Uludag and Osman Ulkir

In this study, experimental studies were carried out using different process parameters of the soft pneumatic gripper (SPG) fabricated by the fused deposition modeling method. In…

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, experimental studies were carried out using different process parameters of the soft pneumatic gripper (SPG) fabricated by the fused deposition modeling method. In the experimental studies, the surface quality of the gripper was examined by determining four different levels and factors. The experiment was designed to estimate the surface roughness of the SPG.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of an experimental phase in which the SPG is fabricated and the surface roughness is measured. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) flex filament material was used in the fabrication of SPG. The control factors used in the Taguchi L16 vertical array experimental design and their level values were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to observe the effect of printing parameters on the surface quality. Finally, regression analysis was applied to mathematically model the surface roughness values obtained from the experimental measurements.

Findings

Based on the Taguchi signal-to-noise ratio and ANOVA, layer height is the most influential parameter for surface roughness. The best surface quality value was obtained with a surface roughness value of 18.752 µm using the combination of 100 µm layer height, 2 mm wall thickness, 200 °C nozzle temperature and 120 mm/s printing speed. The developed model predicted the surface roughness of SPG with 95% confidence intervals.

Originality/value

It is essential to examine the surface quality of parts fabricated in additive manufacturing using different variables. In the literature, surface roughness has been examined using different factors and levels. However, the surface roughness of a soft gripper fabricated with TPU material has not been examined previously. The surface quality of parts fabricated using flexible materials is very important.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2022

Diane Zandee, Ambika Zutshi, Andrew Creed and André Nijhof

The paper aims to provide managerial recommendations for implementing circular economy (CE) principles in both organizational and interorganizational contexts, including when…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide managerial recommendations for implementing circular economy (CE) principles in both organizational and interorganizational contexts, including when using digital tools, such as building information modeling (BIM) and blockchain. Drawn from the construction sector in the Netherlands, the findings can be generalized to similar sectors where a company may receive multiple inputs as part of its supply chain augmented by digital technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Design addresses the research question: what are the strategic and tactical approaches of organizations on the CE pathway? Sub-questions target initiatives pursued by participants, and look toward information, roles and functions for supporting the CE process. Applying a multiple-case study approach (21 semi-structured interviews with 29 participants) the paper explores strategic initiatives of construction companies implementing CE pathways. The strength of the research design comes from facilitation of rich and deep qualitative insights from Netherlands-based managers embedded within global supply chains contributing to conceptual mapping. A limitation is data from one country (though representing both national and multinational companies).

Findings

Interviewed managers share guidance for production-related construction companies anchored in materials and product design. Recommendations include to (1) develop both internally and externally the awareness of CE amongst leaders, (2) communicate with internal and external stakeholders for shared vision across the supply chain, (3) start with pilot projects, and (4) ensure product data-integration for CE business models through computer modeling and blockchain for decision-making processes, choices of materials, business model coordination and product (re)design. Continuous learning about CE roles and responsibilities amidst organizational process restructuring is required throughout linear to CE transitions. Extending the time for the CE principles evaluation process would allow for reconsideration of decisions made for CE implemented projects.

Originality/value

A novel CE gameplan with a hurdles and recommendations checklist provides an operational interface with decision making points between internal factors for the host organization and external supply chain partners.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2023

Zhe Du, Changjie Chen and Xinhou Wang

Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Stab-resistant body armor (SRBA) is used to protect the body from sharp knives. However, most SRBA materials currently have the disadvantages of large weight and thickness. This paper aims to prepare lightweight and high-performance SRBA by 3D printing truss structure and resin-filling method.

Design/methodology/approach

The stab resistance truss structure was prepared by the fused deposition modeling method, and the composite structure was formed after filling with resin for dynamic and quasi-static stab tests. The optimized structural plate can meet the standard GA68-2019. Digital image correlation technology was used to analyze the local strain changes during puncture. The puncture failure mode was summarized by the final failure morphologies. The explicit dynamics module in ANSYS Workbench was used to analyze the design of the overlapped structure stab resistance process in this paper.

Findings

The stab resistance performance of the 3D-printed structural plate is affected by the internal filling pattern. The stab resistance performance of 3D-printed structural parts was significantly improved after resin filling. The 50%-diamond-PLA-epoxy, with a thickness of only 5 mm was able to meet the stab resistance standard. Resins are used to increase the strength and hardness of the material but also to increase crack propagation and reduce the toughness of the material. The overlapping semicircular structure was inspired by the exoskeleton structure of the demon iron beetle, which improved the stab resistance between gaps. The truss structure can effectively disperse stress for toughening. The filled resin was reinforced by absorbing impact energy.

Originality/value

The 3D-printed resin-filled truss structure can be used to prepare high-performance stab resistance structural plates, which balance the toughness and strength of the overall structure and ultimately reduce the thickness and weight of the SRBA.

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2023

Abdelazeem Hassan Shehata Atyia and Abdelrahman Mohamed Ghanim

The accurate modeling of magnetic hysteresis in electrical steels is important in several electrical and electronic applications. Numerical models have long been known that can…

Abstract

Purpose

The accurate modeling of magnetic hysteresis in electrical steels is important in several electrical and electronic applications. Numerical models have long been known that can correctly reproduce some typical behaviours of these magnetic materials. Among these, the model proposed by Jiles and Atherton must certainly be mentioned. This model is intuitive and fairly easy to implement and identify with relatively few experimental data. Also, for this reason, it has been extensively studied in different formulations. The developments and numerical tests made on this hysteresis model have indicated that it is able to accurately reproduce symmetrical cycles, especially the major loop, but often it fails to reproduce non-symmetrical cycles. This paper aims to show the positive aspects and highlight the defects of the different formulations in predicting the minor loops of electrical steels excited by non-sinusoidal currents.

Design/methodology/approach

The different formulations are applied to different electrical steels, and the data coming from the simulations are compared with those measured experimentally. The direct and inverse Jiles–Atherton models, including the introduction of the dissipative factor approach, are presented, and their limitations are proposed and validated using the measurements of three non-grain-oriented materials. Only the measured major loop is used to identify the parameters of the Jiles–Atherton model. Furthermore, the direct and inverse Jiles–Atherton models were used to simulate the minor loops as well as the hysteresis cycles with direct component (DC) bias excitation. Finally, the simulation results are discussed and compared to measurements for each study case.

Findings

The paper indicates that both the direct and the inverse Jiles–Atherton model formulations provide a good agreement with the experimental data for the major loop representation; nevertheless, both models can not accurately predict the minor loops even when the modification approaches proposed in the literature were implemented.

Originality/value

The Jiles–Atherton model and its modifications are widely discussed in the literature; however, some limitations of the model and its modification in the case of the distorted current waveform are not completely highlighted. Furthermore, this paper contains an original discussion on the accuracy of the prediction of minor loops from distorted current waveforms, including DC bias.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 February 2024

Yasser M. Mater, Ahmed A. Elansary and Hany A. Abdalla

The use of recycled coarse aggregate in concrete structures promotes environmental sustainability; however, performance of these structures might be negatively impacted when it is…

Abstract

Purpose

The use of recycled coarse aggregate in concrete structures promotes environmental sustainability; however, performance of these structures might be negatively impacted when it is used as a replacement to traditional aggregate. This paper aims to simulate recycled concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), to advance the modeling and use of recycled concrete structures.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the performance of beams with recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RCAC), finite element models (FEMs) were developed to simulate 12 preloaded RCAC beams, strengthened with two CFRP strengthening schemes. Details of the modeling are provided including the material models, boundary conditions, applied loads, analysis solver, mesh analysis and computational efficiency.

Findings

Using FEM, a parametric study was carried out to assess the influence of CFRP thickness on the strengthening efficiency. The FEM provided results in good agreement with those from the experiments with differences and standard deviation not exceeding 11.1% and 3.1%, respectively. It was found that increasing the CFRP laminate thickness improved the load-carrying capacity of the strengthened beams.

Originality/value

The developed models simulate the preloading and loading up to failure with/without CFRP strengthening for the investigated beams. Moreover, the models were validated against the experimental results of 12 beams in terms of crack pattern as well as load, deflection and strain.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2024

Maria Ghannoum, Joseph Assaad, Michel Daaboul and Abdulkader El-Mir

The use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics derived from shredded bottles in concrete is not formalized yet, especially in reinforced members such as beams and…

Abstract

Purpose

The use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics derived from shredded bottles in concrete is not formalized yet, especially in reinforced members such as beams and columns. The disposal of plastic wastes in concrete is a viable alternative to manage those wastes while minimizing the environmental impacts associated to recycling, carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper evaluates the suitability of 2D deterministic and stochastic finite element (FE) modeling to predict the shear strength behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. Different concrete mixtures prepared with 1.5%–4.5% PET additions, by volume, are investigated.

Findings

Test results showed that the deterministic and stochastic FE approaches are accurate to assess the maximum load of RC beams at failure and corresponding midspan deflection. However, the crack patterns observed experimentally during the different stages of loading can only be reproduced using the stochastic FE approach. This later method accounts for the concrete heterogeneity due to PET additions, allowing a statistical simulation of the effect of mechanical properties (i.e. compressive strength, tensile strength and Young’s modulus) on the output FE parameters.

Originality/value

Data presented in this paper can be of interest to civil and structural engineers, aiming to predict the failure mechanisms of RC beams containing plastic wastes, while minimizing the experimental time and resources needed to estimate the variability effect of concrete properties on the performance of such structures.

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: 14 March 2024

Pengkun Liu, Zhewen Yang, Jing Huang and Ting-Kwei Wang

The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the influence of individual learning styles on the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR)-based learning in structural engineering…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the influence of individual learning styles on the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR)-based learning in structural engineering. There has been a lack of research examining the correlation between learning efficiency and learning style, particularly in the context of quantitatively assessing the efficacy of AR in structural engineering education.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT), a model that emphasizes learning through experience, students from the construction management department are assigned four learning styles (converging, assimilating, diverging and accommodating). Performance data were gathered, appraised, and compared through the three dimensions from the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey model across four categories of Kolb’s learning styles in both text-graph (TG)-based and AR-based learning settings.

Findings

The findings indicate that AR-based materials positively impact structural engineering education by enhancing overall learning performance more than TG-based materials. It is also found that the learning style has a profound influence on learning effectiveness, with AR technology markedly improving the information retrieval processes, particularly for converging and assimilating learners, then diverging learners, with a less significant impact on accommodating learners.

Originality/value

These results corroborate prior research analyzing learners' outcomes with hypermedia and informational learning systems. It was found that learners with an “abstract” approach (convergers and assimilators) outperform those with a “concrete” approach (divergers and accommodators). This research emphasizes the importance of considering learning styles before integrating technologies into civil engineering education, thereby assisting software developers and educational institutions in creating more effective teaching materials tailored to specific learning styles.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2024

Shrushti Maheshwari, Zafar Alam and Sarthak S. Singh

The purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the large deformation compression characteristics of fused deposition modelling (FDM)-printed poly lactic acid (PLA)…

70

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the large deformation compression characteristics of fused deposition modelling (FDM)-printed poly lactic acid (PLA), considering the combined effect of infill density and strain rate, and to develop a constitutive viscoplastic model that can incorporate the infill density to predict the experimental result.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental approach focuses on strain rate-dependent (2.1 × 10−4, 2.1 × 10−3, and 2.1 × 10−2 s−1) compression testing for varied infill densities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of compressed materials is used to investigate deformation processes. A hyperelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model is constructed that can predict mechanical deformations at different strain rates and infill densities.

Findings

The yield stress of PLA increased with increase in strain rate and infill density. However, higher degree of strain-softening response was witnessed for the strain rate corresponding to 2.1 × 10−2 s−1. While filament splitting and twisting were identified as the damage mechanisms at higher strain rates, matrix crazing was observed as the primary deformation mechanism for higher infill density (95%). The developed constitutive model captured yield stress and post-yield softening behaviour of FDM build PLA samples with a high R2 value of 0.99.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need to analyse and predict the mechanical response of FDM print polymers (PLA) undergoing extensive strain-compressive loading through a hyperelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model. This study links combined effects of the printing parameter (infill density) with the experimental parameter (strain rate).

Article
Publication date: 29 December 2023

Noah Ray and Il Yong Kim

Fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) is an emerging technology that combines additive manufacturing and composite materials. As a result, design freedom offered by the…

Abstract

Purpose

Fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) is an emerging technology that combines additive manufacturing and composite materials. As a result, design freedom offered by the manufacturing process can be leveraged in design optimization. The purpose of the study is to propose a novel method that improves structural performance by optimizing 3D print orientation of FRAM components.

Design/methodology/approach

This work proposes a two-part design optimization method that optimizes 3D global print orientation and topology of a component to improve a structural objective function. The method considers two classes of design variables: (1) print orientation design variables and (2) density-based topology design variables. Print orientation design variables determine a unique 3D print orientation to influence anisotropic material properties. Topology optimization determines an optimal distribution of material within the optimized print orientation.

Findings

Two academic examples are used to demonstrate basic behavior of the method in tension and shear. Print orientation and sequential topology optimization improve structural compliance by 90% and 58%, respectively. An industry-level example, an aerospace component, is optimized. The proposed method is used to achieve an 11% and 15% reduction of structural compliance compared to alternative FRAM designs. In addition, compliance is reduced by 43% compared to an equal-mass aluminum design.

Originality/value

Current research surrounding FRAM focuses on the manufacturing process and neglects opportunities to leverage design freedom provided by FRAM. Previous FRAM optimization methods only optimize fiber orientation within a 2D plane and do not establish an optimized 3D print orientation, neglecting exploration of the entire orientation design space.

1 – 10 of over 4000