Design of thin micro-architectured panels with extension-bending coupling effects using topology optimization

Abstract

We design thin micro-architectured panels with programmable macroscopic behaviour using inverse homogenization, the Hadamard shape derivative, and a level set method in the diffuse interface context. The optimally designed microstructures take into account the extension-bending effect in addition to in-plane stiffness and out-of-plane bending stiffness. Furthermore, we present numerical examples of optimal microstructures that attain different targets for different volume fractions and interpret the physical significance of the extension-bending coupling. The simultaneous control of the in-plane, out-of-plane and their coupled behaviour enables to shift a flat panel into a dome or saddle shaped structure under the action of an in-plane loading. Moreover, the obtained unit cells are elementary blocks to create three-dimensional objects with shape-morphing capabilities.