Design and modeling of a novel three dimensional auxetic reentrant honeycomb structure for energy absorption

Abstract

Aiming at achieving excellent energy absorption capacity, a novel periodic auxetic reentrant honeycomb structure is proposed by defining an octagon honeycomb unit cell with various shape parameters and reentrant angles. Additive manufacturing is applied to fabricate three groups of resin samples with different design parameters. Quasi-static compression experimental test is conducted obtaining the effects of negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) on the compressive stress–strain relationship of the proposed structure. The results show the excellent lateral material shrinkage under axial compression and distinct hardening process with sharp stiffness increase when the structure experiences densification. The experiment results are then used to validate the corresponding 3D finite element models. Good agreements are found between the experiment and finite element simulation results. Furthermore, a geometry parameter study is used to analyze the effect of design parameters on energy absorption capacity of the structure and the results can be a good reference for future optimal design of similar meta-materials. To summarize, in addition to the good energy absorption capacity, thanks to the obvious NPR effects and lateral shrinkage behavior, the newly proposed honeycomb meta-material with specific auxetic reentrant design becomes a solid material with low porosity and high stiffness after full compression to provide further protection or support for its neighbor objectives.