Abstract
One of the perennial problems with additive manufacturing (AM) is the lack of inter-laminar bond strength between the layers, also known as z-strength. This can make the use of AM fabricated parts in load bearing applications problematic. This problem can be solved in some applications with post-tensioning. The use of post-tensioning in structures can be used to ensure that layer interfaces only see compressive stresses. This method is commonly used to strengthen concrete structures since concrete is weak in tension while strong in compression. This paper explores the successful application of post-tensioning to improve z-strength of large structures made with Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) where loads are significant. Theory and examples are presented herein.
