I-WP geometry structural assessment: A theoretical, experimental, and numerical analysis

Abstract

The triply periodic minimal surface structures remain issues for attention, offering advantages such as high porosity and a significant surface area to volume, which are important in applications related to bioengineering, heat exchangers, energy absorption, among others. In this work, the elastic modulus and structural response of the I-WP cellular structure were studied for several relative densities through Gibson-Ashby model, numerical modeling, and experimental test. The constants C and n for the Gibson-Ashby model were estimated and exhibited an approximate common value at different relative densities. The constants exhibit good correlation with experimental results from relative densities of 30%, 50%, and 60%; and accurately predict the elastic modulus for densities of 55% and 70% with low errors of 3.09% and 9.89%, respectively. The constant values for C and n, indicate a mixed mode of deformation with bending as the primary governing factor. The combination of Hooke’s law and the Gibson-Ashby model provided a practical approach for predicting the reaction force with errors ranging from 1.98% to 15%. These findings contribute to providing C and n constants to understand the elastic modulus and structural response of the I-WP cellular structure and offer valuable insights for material design and engineering applications. In addition, the validated models provide an efficient procedure for predicting material behavior under compression conditions, saving time and resources compared to full-scale experimental testing. Overall, this study offers potential for further research in mechanical properties analysis.