LAUSR

This research extends the existing classical lamination theory based finite element (FE) models to predict elasto-plastic and bimodular behavior of 3D printed composites with orthotropic material properties. Short carbon fiber reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene was selected as the 3D printing material. Material characterization of a 3D printed unidirectional laminate was carried out using mechanical tests. A bimodular material model was implemented using explicit FE analysis to predict the tension and bending behavior of a 3D printed laminate. The results of the FE model predictions were experimentally validated. Hill’s yield function was effective at predicting the elasto-plastic stress–strain behavior of the laminate in tension. In bending, bimodular material behavior along with Hill’s yield function worked reasonably well in predicting the elasto-plastic bending of the laminate. The material model proposed can be used to predict the mechanical behavior of 3D printed parts with complex geometry under complex loading and boundary conditions.