Experimental and computational investigations of novel 3D printed square tubular lattice metamaterials with negative Poisson’s ratio

Abstract

Novel 3D printed square auxetic tubular lattice (SATL) structures were designed, fabricated and investigated. Their mechanical properties were examined by the finite element method and experiments. The height and wall thickness show different effects on the mechanical properties of SATL structures. Compared with the circular auxetic tubular (CATL) structures, the SATL structure has a lower peak force under axial load. Under lateral load, the SATL structure has higher stiffness and specific energy absorption. Moreover, the auxetic effect of the proposed SATL structure is also obvious under lateral load. Then, numerical investigations of several improved SATL structures were carried out, the results show that the improved square auxetic tubular lattice (ISATL) structures have stronger energy absorption capacity under axial and lateral loads. Due to their unique structural design and excellent mechanical properties, the SATL structures and ISATL structures have great potential for applications in civil engineering, vehicle crashworthiness and protective infrastructure. • Novel 3D printed SATL structures were designed, fabricated and investigated. • The effects of wall thickness and height on the mechanical properties of SATL structures were studied. • The SATL structures possess better energy absorption capacity than that of CATL structures under lateral load. • The ISATL structures have a better energy absorption capacity. • The potential applications of SATL structures and ISATL structures were discussed.