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Optimization of Hybrid Core Designs in 3D-Printed PLA+ Sandwich Structures: An Experimental, Statistical, and Computational Investigation Completed with Bibliometric Analysis
Abstract
This work presents the experimental test and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of six core profiles (i.e. Square, Circle, Ellipse, Octagon, Pentagon, and Hexagon grids) on mechanical properties of 3D-printed Polylactic Acid Plus (PLA+) sandwich panels. Tensile and flexural tests were carried out to evaluate the structural performance of each core geometry; FEA in Abaqus was employed to study the stress distribution and deformation patterns. In contrast, the mechanical properties were the highest for the hexagonal and pentagonal cores with tensile strengths of 45.2 and 43.8 MPa, respectively, and flexural strengths of 290 and 323 MPa, respectively. ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests indicated that core geometry significantly influences the flexural strength of sandwich panels of 0.94. The new hybrid hexagonal-octagonal core geometry was henceforth proposed to continue the quest for structural efficiency. The integration of the experimental and numerical approaches in such a way that validates the reliability of the FEA model itself gave less than 6% error in predicting flexural strength.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijost.v10i2.81743
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