Numerical modelling of the mechanical response of lattice structures produced through AM

Abstract

In the last years, with the development of Additive Manufacturing processes, the research on the mechanical behaviour of lattice structures has gained significant attention. Depending on the application, the mechanical properties of the unit cell can be modified by varying its geometry. The cell geometry is generally designed through Finite Element Analyses. However, the simulation of the mechanical response of components made of lattice structures can be rather complex, due to the long computation time. Therefore, efficient simplified models should be employed, but, in this case, an experimental validation is required.In the paper, experimental compression tests are carried out on cubic specimens in lattice structures produced with a carbon nylon filament through a Fused Deposition Modeling process and with an AlSi10Mg alloy through a Selective Laser Melting process. The tests on carbon nylon specimens are carried out to assess the cell geometry ensuring the highest energy absorption among five selected cell geometries. Subsequently, a Finite Element (FE) model of the lattice structure specimens is created by using 1D beam elements and experimentally validated with the results obtained by testing manufactured specimens. The activity in the paper proves the effectiveness of models with 1D elements for the simulation of the mechanical response of the lattice structures and the importance of validating FE models to assess their real failure mode.