Nonlinear wave propagation and dynamic reconfiguration in two-dimensional lattices with bistable elements

Abstract

This paper examines the propagation of elastic waves of large amplitudes in two-dimensional square lattices that include an alternating pattern of linear springs and nonlinear bistable springs. Because of the presence of bistable springs, these lattices have multiple stable configurations. In this paper, a theoretical model that takes into account the non-linearity of the bistable springs while neglecting geometric nonlinearities is used to study non-linear wave propagation in these lattices. Results from numerical simulations demonstrate that, for a lattice that is initially in a deformed stable equilibrium configuration, stimuli of large amplitudes are able to cause a reconfiguration of the lattice to a configuration of lower potential energy. Even for initial stable configurations that exhibit omnidirectional or directional bandgaps for infinitesimal wave propagation, waves of large amplitudes can propagate in the lattice due to its reconfiguration; however, due to the nonlinearity of bistable springs, the transmitted response tends to have multiple spectral peaks or be broadband for narrow-band stimuli of large amplitude. Simulations are used to study how the reconfiguration of the lattice depends on the amplitude and duration of the stimulus, on damping, and on the energy barrier between the two stable equilibria of the bistable springs. These numerical results suggest that these multistable lattices can serve as reconfigurable wave guides for which the amplitude of the stimulus offers opportunities for enhanced tunability.