PSI - Issue 63

Dominik Gřešica et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 63 (2024) 7– 12

10

3D printed joints considered on small and large scales. While for small details we can consider a single fastener and numerically verify its behaviour, at larger scales the influence of the fasteners used to connect the individual parts of the detail already enters the assessment, which significantly changes the behaviour of the whole connection detail. Another important variable is the choice of the actual material for printing the connection. Currently, we can choose from a range of polymer-based filaments, where we are also already seeing the possibility of printing wood-based materials or a separate category of 3D printing metals. In all these cases, apart from the importance of the material and strength characteristics of the material itself, the layering that arises due to the nature of the printing process is also significant. However, for the case of metal printing, it is already succeeding in getting down to the level of material homogeneity of 3D printed features.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 2. Prototype of joint of the membrane to the support element made using 3D printing in scale approx. 1:4 (a), A perspective view of the connection of the two-part prototype using glue (b).

2.3. Membranes workshops As a marginal result of the research, which, however, has a high potential for popularization, is a series of workshops at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Ostrava, called MESHCRAFT (Jura č ka, 2024). The aim is to popularize 3D printing in the construction industry and to introduce the general public to its possibilities in relation to membrane structures. During the workshops, participants will learn about the history, present and technical aspects of membrane structures, including the practical application of 3D printing, which is used for connection details in the creation of physical models of structures. At the same time, in addition to the creation of a physical model, it is possible to focus only on the creation of an architectural concept, a virtual or numerical model and the application of the acquired knowledge in the use of Rhino software for modelling membranes and RFEM (Kawulok et al., 2023) for shape analysis and the creation of cutting patterns.