3D-printing for the rehabilitation and health monitoring of structures with FBG: Experimental tests

Abstract

Nowadays 3D-printing technology is part of many construction processes in different engineering fields, thanks to the possibility of precisely reproducing the shape of complex elements and the availability of different printing materials. In this context, the paper presents the results of tensile experimental tests on samples 3D-printed in PLA (PolyLactic acid), and analyse the effect of the printing process and aging test. Referring to the interest in producing smart components, some samples were printed with an embedded single-mode fiber optic with acrylate coating, commonly used for FOSs (fiber optic sensor). In particular, some samples were produced with pristine optical fiber to test the procedure, while others were produced with the FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor. The results are discussed in terms of strength and stiffness in both pre-peak stage and post-peak one (ductility and softening), and the functionality of the embedded FBG sensors in operating as strain sensors is reported.