Equivalent continuum method of plane-stress dominated plate-lattice materials

Abstract

An equivalent continuum method based on micro–macro transformations of strains and stresses is developed to analyze the effective mechanical performances of three-dimensional plane-stress dominated plate-lattice materials. The equivalent stiffness matrix of the plate-lattice material is deduced by the equivalent continuum method. Based on the two-dimensional Mises yield criterion of the micro-plate, the yield criterion, yield strength and three-dimensional plastic yield surfaces of the plate-lattice materials are deduced. Anisotropy of the stiffness and strength is discussed for six typical plate-lattice materials. The predicted stiffness and strength are in good agreement with the experimental data, validating the present model in the prediction of the mechanical properties of the plate-lattice materials. Through the research, it is found that the plane-stress dominated topology makes the plate-lattice material stiffer and stronger than stretching-dominated truss-lattice material when there is no elastic buckling in both structures.