Session: 13-03-01: General: Mechanics of Solids, Structures and Fluids I

Paper Number: 173993

Damage Characterization of 3d-Printed Lattice Structures Under Static and Impact Loading Using Micro-Ct Imaging 

Three-dimensional lattice structures offer exceptional performance in load bearing and impact mitigation applications due to their inherent mechanical efficiency and energy absorption capabilities. This study investigates the damage response of four distinct lattice geometries fabricated through 3D printing using Digital ABS and various composite digital materials. Recent advances in additive manufacturing have enabled detailed studies of the static and dynamic behavior of 3D cellular structures for mechanical energy absorption. In particular, this study investigates the damage response and energy absorption characteristics of four distinct lattice geometries—body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), diamond cubic (DC), and Kelvin truss (KT)—fabricated using advanced additive manufacturing techniques. Recent progress in UV-cured 3D printing has made it possible to fabricate complex lattice architectures using Digital ABS and composite materials with Shore hardness values ranging from 30 to 70 (SH30–SH70). The process allows systematic analysis of material compliance on material damage and structural performance. The lattice structures were subjected to both quasi-static compression and low-velocity impact tests across multiple strain rates to evaluate their static and dynamic energy absorption capabilities. Under static loading, energy absorption was quantified using the area under the stress-strain curve. In dynamic impact tests, acceleration differences between the top impacted surface and the base of the structure were recorded as a measure of energy dissipation and impact mitigation. It is observed that FCC and KT lattices exhibited nearly twice the energy absorption under static conditions compared to BCC and DC structures. However, under dynamic impact, BCC lattices outperformed others in reducing transmitted acceleration, followed by DC, FCC, and KT. High-speed imaging was used to observe fracture initiation and propagation during impact events, while high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning allowed for post-impact visualization of damage morphology and failure patterns. The study focused on understanding how axial vs. bending-dominated deformation modes affect the extent and type of structural damage. In particular, the influence of material compliance, modulated by Shore hardness, was carefully examined. The initial hypothesis was that softer materials (lower Shore hardness) exhibit more distributed deformation and delayed crack propagation, whereas stiffer materials show more brittle, localized failure. Volumetric damage profiles from CT scans enabled a comprehensive evaluation of crack development and internal structural compromise. Insights from this work contribute to the development of more resilient, impact-tolerant lattice structures for protective applications. As such, these results highlight the influence of strain rate and inertial effects on energy absorption and structural failure, informing the design of advanced protective lattice structures. 

Presenting Author: Ahmed Zubayer Raiyan University of Texas at Arlington

Presenting Author Biography: Ahmed is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019

Authors:

Ahmed Zubayer Raiyan University of Texas at Arlington
Aaron Jackson University of Texas at Arlington
Ashfaq Adnan University of Texas at Arlington