Abstract
The use of 3D printing in modular building connections is a novel and promising technique. However, the performance of 3D printed steel modular building connections has not been investigated adequately to date. Therefore, this paper presents a three-dimensional finite element model (FEM), using the multi-purpose software Abaqus, to study the effect of different geometrical and material parameters on the ultimate behaviour of modular building connections (herein named 3DMBC) using a wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) method, as part of the UK’s 3DMBC (3D Modular Building Connections) project. The proposed model considers material and geometrical non-linearities, initial imperfections, and the contact between adjacent surfaces. The finite element results are compared with the currently available experimental results and validated to ensure developed FEM can be used to analyse the behaviour of 3DMBC with some adjustments. Case studies were investigated using the validated model to analyse the ultimate behaviour with different nominal and WAAM-produced materials under various loading arrangements. Based on the results, it is recommended to conservatively use the treated or untreated WAAM material properties obtained in θ = 90° print orientation in the finite element modelling of 3DMBCs considering the complex component arrangements and multi-directional loading in the modular connections. It is also noted that the thickness of beams and columns of fully 3D printed connections can be increased to achieve the same level of performance as traditional modular connections. For the 3DMBCs printed using untreated WAAM, the thickness increment was found to be 50% in this study.
Highlights
Off-site modular construction is gaining increased interest in urban areas, where building construction procedures are often challenging due to limited workspace and high standards for minimum disruption during construction [1]
The results show that the 3D printed modular connection considered in θ = 45◦ print orientation yielded approximately the same structural behaviour compared to the reference modular connection
The effect of a 3D printed connection on structural response is negligible compared to the conventional modular steel connection when replacing selected 3D printed structural components that are not highly responsible for the behaviour of modular connections
Summary
Off-site modular construction is gaining increased interest in urban areas, where building construction procedures are often challenging due to limited workspace and high standards for minimum disruption during construction [1]. A Modular Building Structure or System (MBS) is an integrated structure in which the whole frame or building contains prefabricated room-sized volumetric modules or structural units fabricated off-site and installed on-site [2,3] This modular construction method offers several advantages such as increased construction speed, reduced construction cost and material waste, enhanced quality control, and minimal environmental impacts [1,2,3,4]. Inter-modular connections are used to connect the individual modules in multi-story modular buildings to create a functioning structure These connections are a crucial part of off-site construction and play a prominent role in providing performance and integrity to modular buildings [1,3,5]. There is an evident absence in the investigation of the structural performance of 3D printed steel modular building connections ( named 3DMBC) using the WAAM method. HTheenrceef,otrhei,sthsteuadiymfofcuthseisdsotunddyeivsetloopirnogviadned inpfroorpmoesdinmg oadgeelnlienrgaldtehcrieseio-dnismfoerns3iDonMaBl FCEs.mHoedneclef,otrhisstasitnuldeyssfsotceuesle3dDoMnBdCevueslionpginWgAaAndM pirnocpluosdiinnggaingietinaelriaml tpherrefee-cdtiiomnesn, sloiocnalalbFuEckmlinogd,eal nfodr mstaoidnellelsins gstteheel 3cDonMtaBcCt buestiwngeeWnAdAiffMerinecnltusduinrfgacineistiaasl iwmepllearfsecctoimonpsa, rloincgaltbhuecrkelsinuglt,sawndithmtohdoeslelinogf athveaiclaobnlteacetxbpeetrwimeeenntdsifrfeesruenltts. suInrftahciesssatus dwye,ltlwasocionmdipvaidriunagltvhaelirdeasutilotsnswwithertehpoeserfoofrmaveadilafobrletheexpmeoridmuelanrtsstreeesul cltosn. nInectthiiosn staunddy,thtwe 3oDinpdriivnitdeudasltvaainlildeasstiostneselwseturebpceorlfuomrmnsedusfoinrgththeemWodAuAlaMr smteeetlhcoodn.nTehcteino,nthanedsttuhdey 3wDapsreinxtteedndsetadintoledssevseteloelpsatucbomcobluinmednsnuusminegricthalemWoAdAelMtomsiemthuoladt.eTthheens,trtuhcetustruadl ypewrfaosremxteanndceedofto3Ddepvreinlotepdasctoaimnlbeisnsesdteneul mmeordicuallamr coodnenletcotisoimnsumlaatenuthfaecstturruecdtuursailnpgetrhfoerWmAanAcMe omf 3eDthpordin. ted stainless steel modular connections manufactured using the WAAM method
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
