Tensile and shear properties of star-shaped cellular lattice structure

Abstract

A novel star-shaped cellular structure with great elastic properties is proposed as candidate for multiple morphing applications. Theoretical derivations and finite element analysis are conducted to study the mechanics of the structure. Results show that the in-plane moduli of the structure can be extremely lower than those of the base material, while the maximum global strains reach, dozens of times, the limit elastic strain of the base material. The proposed structure also exhibits lighter weight, lower in-plane moduli and larger strain ratios than the existing semi-sinusoidal structure, which indicates lower actuation requirements and greater strain capabilities for morphing applications.

Keywords:

• Cellular structure
• Cosine beam
• Elastic constant
• Finite element homogenization
• Maximum strain ratio

Acknowledgements

We also appreciate the anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions and questions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51605140]; the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [grant numbers B200202168, 2019B67314]; the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province [grant number SJKY19-0439] and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [grant number BK20150802].