Digital twin studies on WAAM bars

With the aim of assessing and predicting the structural behavior of WAAM bars, advanced finite element models were developed to create "digital twins" of the tested specimens.

From 3D scan acquisition, detailed information on the geometrical irregularities is used to simulate flexural and buckling behavior of WAAM bars previously tested in lab. Specific material models calibrated from experiments are included, accounting for the variation in the mechanical parameters based on the build angle of the printed bars. 

These models are used to assess the flexural stiffness from three-point bending tests of WAAM stainless steel bars, to then formulate ad-hoc buckling curves for printed slender parts.