Diatom-Inspired Structural Adaptation According to Mode Shapes: A Study on 3D Structures and Software Tools

Abstract

Diatoms captivate both biologists and engineers with their remarkable mechanical properties and lightweight design principles inherent in their shells. Recent studies have indicated that diatom frustules possess optimized shapes that align with vibrational modes, suggesting an inherent adaptation to vibratory loads. The mode shape adaptation method is known to significantly alter eigenfrequencies of 1D and 2D structures to prevent undesired vibration amplitudes. Leveraging this insight, the diatom-inspired approach to deform structures according to mode shapes was extended to different complex 3D structures, demonstrating a significant enhancement in eigenfrequencies with distinct mode shapes. Through extensive parameter studies, frequency increases exceeding 200% were obtained, showcasing the method’s effectiveness. In the second study part, the studied method was integrated into a user-friendly, low-code software facilitating swift and automated structural adjustments for eigenfrequency optimization. The created software tools, encompassing various components, were successfully tested on the example structures demonstrating the versatility and practicality of implementing biomimetic strategies in engineering designs. Thus, the present investigation does not only highlight the noteworthiness of the structural adaptation method inspired by diatoms in maximizing eigenfrequencies, but also originate software tools permitting different users to easily apply the method to distinct structures that have to be optimized, e.g., lightweight structures in the mobility or aerospace industry that are susceptible toward vibrations.