Dynamic characterization of 3D printed bolted joints

The paper deals with the effect of different parameters on the frictional energy dissipated by 3D-printed bolted joints of different configurations. A test rig is developed using the accelerometers and shaker to perform this task. The shaker provides the force that induces a relative displacement between plates. The induced relative displacement is measured using the accelerometer. The bolted plate samples are 3D printed with polylactic acid (PLA) fibre using fused deposition modelling (FDM) and joined together using a metal bolt. The four different configurations of bolted joints are developed. A single bolt flat contact, a double bolt flat contact (90 degrees orientation), a single bolt slanted contact (1 degrees angle on both surfaces), and a single bolt flat and curved contact. The effect of bolt preload, excitation frequency, and excitation amplitude on the experimental frictional energy dissipation of the bolted joint is studied. The energy dissipation increases with the increase in excitation amplitude and the bolt preload. However, with increasing excitation frequency, the energy dissipation decreases. The type of contact between bolted plates also seems to affect the frictional energy dissipation.