Numerical investigation of the mechanical properties of lattice structures inspired from polycrystalline materials

Abstract

In this work, polycrystalline-like lattice structures that are inspired by the geometry of polycrystalline materials are designed. They are generated by filling periodic lattice structures into a Voronoi diagram. Then, finite element analyses of two periodic and eight polycrystalline-like lattice structures are performed to compare their mechanical properties. The numerical results show that polycrystalline-like lattice structures consisting of anisotropic rectangular X-type periodic unit cells are isotropic at the macroscale. Moreover, they have a higher specific stiffness and specific strength than periodic lattice structures under compression. Then, the energy absorption capability is investigated. Five energy absorption indicators (energy absorption, energy absorption per unit volume, specific energy absorption per unit mass, crush stress efficiency, and plateau stress) reveal that polycrystalline-like lattice structures are better energy absorption structures. Furthermore, the defect sensitivity of missing struts is discussed. The findings of this work offer a new route for designing novel lattice structures.