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Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Compressive Performance of Additively Manufactured PLA Structures with
Alexandra Llidó Barragán1, Aritz Unamuno Garay1, Santiago Ferrándiz-Bou1
1Instituto Universitario de Investigación de Tecnología de Materiales, Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell, 03801 Alcoy, Spain.
Polymers
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) shows promise for construction. Honeycomb infill patterns in polylactic acid (PLA) parts offer excellent energy absorption and deformation capacity, making them ideal for lightweight applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Additive manufacturing, especially Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), offers unique advantages for construction, including complex geometry fabrication and material optimization.
- Polylactic acid (PLA) is a key material in FDM, but its mechanical properties need optimization for structural applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various infill patterns and densities on the compressive behavior of FDM-printed PLA specimens.
- To identify optimal configurations for industrial construction applications.
Main Methods:
- Cubic PLA specimens were designed, sliced with diverse infill patterns (conventional and bio-inspired), and 3D printed using FDM.
- Compression tests were performed to assess stiffness, strength, toughness, and deformation.
- Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations were utilized to predict mechanical responses.
Main Results:
- The honeycomb infill pattern demonstrated superior performance, balancing stiffness with high deformation capacity (up to 40% strain) and excellent energy absorption.
- An infill density of 20% provided the best compromise between mechanical properties, material usage, and printing time.
- FEM simulations supported the experimental findings on mechanical behavior.
Conclusions:
- Honeycomb infill structures in PLA are highly suitable for lightweight engineering applications demanding significant energy dissipation and damage tolerance.
- Optimized infill patterns and densities are crucial for leveraging FDM technology in construction and other industries.
