Abstract
This paper reports on a proposed novel 3D-printed sandwich lattice model using a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure for meta-functional composite bridge bearings (MFCBBs). It could be implemented in bridge systems, including buildings and railway bridges. A TMPS structure offers a high performance to density ratio under different loading. Compared to typical elastomeric bridge bearings with any reinforcements, the use of 3D-printed TPMS sandwich lattices could potentially lead to a substantial reduction in both manufacturing cost and weight, but also to a significant increase in recyclability with their better mechanical properties (compressive, crushing, energy absorption, vibration, and sound attenuation). This paper shows predictions from a numerical study performed to examine the behaviour of a TPMS sandwich lattice model under two different loading conditions for bridge bearing applications. The validation of the modelling is compared with experimental results to ensure the possibility of designing and fabricating a 3D-printed TPMS sandwich lattice for practical use. In general, the compressive experimental and numerical load–displacement behaviour of the TPMS unit cell are in excellent agreement within the elastic limit region. Moreover, its failure mode for bridge bearing applications has been identified as an elastic–plastic and hysteretic failure behaviour under uniaxial compression and combined compression–shear loading, respectively.
Highlights
Bridge bearings play an important role in bridge systems as their main functions are to accommodate/transfer the deformations/forces between the superstructure and the substructure of a bridge whilst supporting the bridge weight
It is important to note that, in this paper, we focus on the development of a 3D-printed triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) sandwich lattice model for meta-functional composite bridge bearings compared to conventional elastomeric to experience a particular rollover behaviour under shear and a lift-off behaviour under high rotational displacements due to the lack of flexural rigidity in the fibre reinforcement [10], as presented in Figure 1c,d, respectively
Considering the high performance to weight ratio of the schwarz primitive (SP) unit cell model, the mechanical behaviours of the proposed SP unit cell model under uniaxial compression and combined compression–shear loading were observed and compared to that of the elastomeric block unit cell model, which is commonly known as a rubber unit cell block structure used for a rubber layer
Summary
Bridge bearings play an important role in bridge systems as their main functions are to accommodate/transfer the deformations/forces between the superstructure and the substructure of a bridge whilst supporting the bridge weight. If bearings are used for buildings, the compressive and shear behaviour are considered [1] These bearings can undergo rotational displacements when they are utilised as bridge/railway bearings. Based on a critical review [4,5,6], bridge bearings should provide proper vertical stiffness to withstand the weight of a bridge superstructure and be able to transfer dead and live loads to the substructure. These bridge bearings should be flexible in the horizontal direction to be able to facilitate rotational or lateral displacements occurring by girders. The failure of bridge bearings caused by these concerns possibly results in damage to the bridge structure or accelerated bridge deterioration [7]
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