Numerical Model of 3D Printed Joint of Wooden Frame

Abstract

Regardless of the type of material, 3D printing seems to be an interesting alternative to conventional construction methods. Leaving aside the use of 3D printing systems for concrete or cement composites, the more conventional 3D printing of plastic, metal or other separated materials may also have its hypothetical benefits in the creation of structural joints. For truss structures, such as arch bridges, certain types of joints can be expected that do not always have the same angle between the single-plane load-bearing elements of the structure. In such a case, the use of 3D printing technology for joint fabrication is defensible. In the case of a standard scale and using experience from timber bridges, one would assume that an embedded plate and pin connection would be the appropriate connection form. In contrast, from the point of view of producing smaller physical models, mainly for a deeper understanding of the comparability issues of numerical modelling and experimental testing, it is advantageous to use so-called enveloping timber element connections. The present paper describes the basic process of numerical analysis of a detail of a wooden arch bridge connection made from 3D printed polycarbonate joints.