Nonlinear shape optimization of flexible mechanical metamaterials

Shape optimization is used to design flexible mechanical metamaterials. We employ the higher-order moving-mesh method to arbitrarily parameterize the geometries and tune their nonlinear mechanical response to our liking under different loading conditions. Rather than considering periodic unit cells,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inExtreme Mechanics Letters Vol. 61; p. 102015
Main Authors Medina, Eder, Rycroft, Chris H., Bertoldi, Katia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2023
Subjects
Automated programming
Flexible structures
Optimization
Shape optimization
Automated programming
Flexible structures
Optimization
Shape optimization
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Summary:Shape optimization is used to design flexible mechanical metamaterials. We employ the higher-order moving-mesh method to arbitrarily parameterize the geometries and tune their nonlinear mechanical response to our liking under different loading conditions. Rather than considering periodic unit cells, we focus on finite size elastomeric sheets with an embedded array of pores subjected to uniaxial tension, compression, and shear and use the optimization algorithm to tune either their stress–strain response or their effective Poisson’s ratio. We find that for all considered targets the algorithm converges to aperiodic geometries that are non-intuitive and comprise domain-like features. As such, our results indicate that aperiodicity may provide new opportunities for the design of flexible metamaterials. [Display omitted] •Shape optimization is used to target mechanical functionality in finite sized cellular solids.•Aperiodic designs are consistently generated over a wide range of target responses•Structures converge to non-intuitive geometries with domain-like features
ISSN:2352-4316
2352-4316
DOI:10.1016/j.eml.2023.102015