In-plane and out-plane flexural properties of the bird feather-inspired panels: Experimental, digital image correlation, and finite element study

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In this study, the flexural performance of the novel bird's feather-inspired cellular panels has been studied. All the panels are fabricated using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plus material. Both the in-plane and out-plane flexural response is studied under a three-point bending load. The panels were designed to study the effect of unit cell length and orientation on stiffness, strength, energy absorption, and crack propagation. The in-situ digital image correlation (DIC) technique has been used to visualize the deflection field of the panels. Furthermore, finite element modeling (FEM) is also used to visualize the plastic strain and stress in the panels. Results showed an increase in stiffness and flexural strength with a decrease in the unit cell length. The change in orientation of the unit cell length can significantly increase the flexural performance of both the in-panels and out-plane loaded panels. The panels loaded in the in-plane three-point loading showed higher energy absorption, whereas panels loaded in out-plane three-point loading showed higher stiffness and flexural strength. Finally, the flexural performance of the new bionic panels is compared with the other type of panels reported in the literature. The new bionic panels show significant improvement over the previous designs. The current study provides novel lightweight panels with improved flexural properties, which can also be helpful for researchers working in the design field. From the design point of view, novel designs can be used in applications like ship floors, aircraft bodies, construction, etc.