An emerging shellwich lattice material: Unlocking design freedom and enhancing mechanical properties

Abstract

This study proposes a novel sandwich shell lattice material called “shellwich”, which offsets the shell lattice to both sides to form panels and achieves the matching of porous material core layer with shell lattice panels. The shellwich lattices (P-BCC) with Schwarz Primitive (P) shell lattice panels and a body-centered cubic (BCC) truss lattice core layer are designed and fabricated. Compression experiments are carried out to explore the mechanical responses of the P-BCC experimentally and numerically. Compared with the P shell and BCC truss lattices, the P-BCC shellwich lattice demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, including widely tailorable elasticity and enhanced energy absorption. Furthermore, the effects of structural parameters on the elastic responses and energy absorption of the P-BCC are discussed. This study provides insights into the design of sandwich structures and lattice materials with high-performance and multifunctional properties, opening up new possibilities for lightweight structures, energy-absorbing systems and other engineering applications.