TY - JOUR
T1 - Design of responsive materials using topologically interlocked elements
AU - Molotnikov, Andrey
AU - Gerbrand, Ralf
AU - Qi, Yuanshen
AU - Simon, George Philip
AU - Estrin, Yuri
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - In this work we present a novel approach to designing responsive structures by segmentation of monolithic plates into an assembly of topologically interlocked building blocks. The particular example considered is an assembly of interlocking osteomorphic blocks. The results of this study demonstrate that the constraining force, which is required to hold the blocks together, can be viewed as a design parameter that governs the bending stiffness and the load bearing capacity of the segmented structure. In the case where the constraining forces are provided laterally using an external frame, the maximum load the assembly can sustain and its stiffness increase linearly with the magnitude of the lateral load applied. Furthermore, we show that the segmented plate with integrated shape memory wires employed as tensioning cables can act as a smart structure that changes its flexural stiffness and load bearing capacity in response to external stimuli, such as heat generated by the switching on and off an electric current.
AB - In this work we present a novel approach to designing responsive structures by segmentation of monolithic plates into an assembly of topologically interlocked building blocks. The particular example considered is an assembly of interlocking osteomorphic blocks. The results of this study demonstrate that the constraining force, which is required to hold the blocks together, can be viewed as a design parameter that governs the bending stiffness and the load bearing capacity of the segmented structure. In the case where the constraining forces are provided laterally using an external frame, the maximum load the assembly can sustain and its stiffness increase linearly with the magnitude of the lateral load applied. Furthermore, we show that the segmented plate with integrated shape memory wires employed as tensioning cables can act as a smart structure that changes its flexural stiffness and load bearing capacity in response to external stimuli, such as heat generated by the switching on and off an electric current.
UR - http://goo.gl/3yIxsK
U2 - 10.1088/0964-1726/24/2/025034
DO - 10.1088/0964-1726/24/2/025034
M3 - Article
SN - 0964-1726
VL - 24
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Smart Materials and Structures
JF - Smart Materials and Structures
IS - 2
ER -