In-plane compression behavior of anti-tetrachiral and re-entrant lattices

In the present study, a comparative compression investigation of anti-tetrachiral and modified re-entrant lattices was conducted in-plane direction using experimental and numerical analyses. Lattice structures were manufactured using fused deposition modelling 3D printing technology and crushed at quasi-static condition. Nonlinear finite element (FE) models of both structures were established, and the FE results were systematically compared with the experimental results. The onset of densification phases of both structures was determined numerically. Results indicate that deformation modes strongly affect the force-deflection response of both designs. In this manner, failure locations and buckling deformation in the tests were identified to find a relation with theory and to modify geometries. The anti-tetrachiral design exhibits higher specific energy absorption than modified re-entrant hexagonal lattices. Beyond the auxetic characteristics, deformation mechanism of the anti-tetrachiral lattices provides an opportunity to construct excellent crush absorption in-plane direction thanks to its high shear strength stem from its unique deformation mechanism.