03/21/2024
By Tzu-Yang Yu
Candidate Name: Tiana Robinson
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: Room 302, Ball Hall, North Campus
Thesis Title: Static and Dynamic Testing of 3D Printed Beams for Structural Design and Construction Applications
Committee:
Advisor: Tzuyang Yu, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell
Committee Members:
Kavitha Chandra, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell
Jianqiang Wei, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell
Brief Abstract:
The development of 3D printing has revolutionized the construction industry, presenting a sustainable approach to creating complex structures. However, the use of 3D printing materials in structural applications requires thorough examination of their strength and serviceability for practical safety. However, the use of 3D printing materials in structural applications requires thorough examination of their strength and serviceability to ensure their safety for practical use. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of thirty-six 243.1 mm-long 3D printed W beams (flange thickness, tf = 1.72 mm, web thickness, tw = 2.11 mm, flange width, bf = 17 mm for static testing, and bf = 12.31 mm dynamic testing, depth, d = 13.1 mm, and fillet radius, r = 2.19 mm) and ST beams (flange thickness, tf = 1.77 mm, web thickness, tw = 1.86 mm, flange width, bf = 17 mm for static testing and bf = 14.6 mm dynamic testing, depth, d = 12.2 mm, and fillet radius, r = 1.87 mm) for structural design and construction applications through static and dynamic testing. Static testing assesses several parameters, including stress-strain curve, Young’s Modulus, deflection, Poisson’s Ratio, and Shear Modulus, while dynamic testing evaluates stiffness and damping under free vibration. Three filaments were used, including Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PET-G). This research used strain gauges to develop stress-strain curves and a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) to measure stiffness and damping. Findings were developed on the mechanical properties of 3D printed W and ST beams to improve our understanding on 3D printing for structural design and construction applications.