Structural Performance and Optimization of 3D-Printed PLA Lattice Structures for Sustainable Design in Load-Bearing Applications

This study explores the structural performance and optimization of 3D-printed Polylactic Acid (PLA) lattice structures, focusing on octapeak, hexstar, and dodecahedron designs, for potential load-bearing applications. Through compression testing, the load-displacement behavior of each structure type was analyzed, examining key characteristics such as peak load capacity, deformation patterns, and failure modes. The Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) was employed to assess each configuration based on two primary criteria: compressive strength and mass. This analysis yielded insights that were structure-type specific as well as overall across all nine samples. Among the hexstar configurations, sample 4 attained the highest rank due to its exceptional load-bearing capacity, making it the optimal choice for high-strength applications. Within the octapeak and dodecahedron groups, samples 2 and 7, respectively, demonstrated balanced performance, suitable for applications prioritizing mass efficiency over maximum strength. In the overall ranking, hexstar emerged as the top-performing structure, with its configurations consistently balancing strength and mass effectively, while octapeak and dodecahedron offered viable alternatives for lighter, less load-intensive uses. The findings demonstrate the utility of the PROMETHEE method in optimizing lattice structure configurations for specific engineering applications, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainable design in additive manufacturing. This research provides a framework for selecting 3D-printed structures that meet application-specific criteria for compressive strength and material efficiency.