Predicting Critical Loads in Fused Deposition Modeling Graphene-Reinforced PLA Plates Containing Notches Using the Point Method

The use of 3D-printed composites in structural applications beyond current prototyping applications requires the definition of safe and robust methodologies for the determination of critical loads. Taking into account that notches (corners, holes, grooves, etc.) are unavoidable in structural components, the presence of these types of stress risers affects the corresponding load-carrying capacity. This work applies the point method (PM) to the estimation of the critical (fracture) loads of graphene-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA-Gr) plates obtained via fused deposition modeling (FDM) with a fixed raster orientation at 45/−45. Additionally, the plates contain three different notch types (U-notches, V-notches, and circular holes) and comprise various thicknesses (from 5 mm up to 20 mm) and ratios of notch length to plate width (a/W= 0.25 and a/W = 0.50). The comparison between the obtained experimental critical loads and the corresponding estimations derived from the application of the PM reveals that this approach generates reasonable accuracy in this particular material that is comparable to the accuracy obtained in other structural materials obtained via traditional manufacturing processes.