Description
In the last decade, 3D-printing technologies are widely spreading also in the field of architectural restoration of historic structures, buildings and monuments, thanks to the possibility to simply and precisely reproduce complex shapes with different materials. Nowadays, 3D printing technologies, in the aforementioned field, are generally employed for the physical reproduction of decorative/architectural components, while the reproduction of structural elements is still in a primordial stage. In this context, the paper presents an experimental study on 3D-printed samples made of PLA (Polylactic Acid Material), equipped with fiber optic sensors introduced inside the samples during the printing process. Then, considering different printing processes and the effect of aging artificially induced, experimental tests were performed with the twofold aim of investigating the mechanical response of samples and the reliability of fiber optic sensors. Regarding the latter, the comparison between the data provided by the universal machine employed for carrying out the tests and the ones deduced from the fiber optic sensors allowed for examining the interaction between the samples and the fiber optic: a paramount issue for the design of monitoring systems integrated with 3D-printed components.
