Mechanical properties of the cellular structures based on the isotruss unit cell^®

Abstract

Summary. The present work aims to investigate the mechanical properties of the cellular structure based on the Isotruss unit cell by implementing the finite element method (FEM) introducing a representative elementary volume (REV). As an orthotropic cellular structure, the three principal Young’s modulus along the longitudinal and transversal directions are evaluated. The influence of the geometrical parameters on the elastic properties is studied in detail. Results reveal that Young’s modulus in two transverse directions are almost close, showing a 12% difference. Besides, the proposed unit cell presents the ability to tune the elasticity along with the main directions. It is seen that increasing the angle of helical pitch, increases the longitudinal Young’s modulus while decreases the transverse ones that suggest a considerable possibility for optimal designs. As an example, mimicking Young’s modulus of the human cortical bone as an orthotropic material is explored and it is seen that the presented cellular structure based on the Isotruss unit cell can successfully fit.