Geometric imperfections of additive manufactured members

Abstract

Challenges in civil engineering and construction industries increase, and simultaneously it is necessary to provide a sustainable utilization of resources. Optimising material applications and manufacturing processes is therefore essential for modern constructions. Highly optimised structural components are already in use in lightweight constructions as well as in aircraft and vehicle industries. In the course of digitisation, new possibilities have evolved in recent years for producing individual and optimized solutions with regard to the consumption of materials, especially in construction industries. Methods of generative or additive manufacturing are employed to develop various prototypes of structural components. In this context, Wire-Arc-Additive-Manufacturing (WAAM) is a promising method for steel structures. However, it remains to be investigated to what extent dimensional accuracy, surface finish, weld quality and repeated thermal influences from the build-up process affect the structural behaviour of corresponding members. This paper deals with the geometric imperfections of corresponding additively manufactured profiles and exemplifies their influence on the bearing capacity.