Isogeometric analysis of architected materials and structures

In recent years, architected materials and structures have gained significant popularity due to their ability to reach enhanced performance for use in multifunctional and multidisciplinary applications. Among numerous options investigated, architected structures based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have gained increasing attention because they exhibit exceptional properties in multiple disciplines simultaneously. However, because of the complexities involved in the geometry representation and mechanical response of these structures, physics-based modeling for this problem class engenders a set of challenges. In this paper we address some of these challenges by developing a first-of-its-kind Isogeometric Analysis (IGA)-based geometry modeling and simulation framework for architected materials and structures. We focus on sheet TPMS-based structures, for which we first develop an IGA-suitable geometry modeling pipeline and then evaluate their mechanical performance in crushing simulations employing Isogeometric shells based on the Kirchhoff–Love (KL) theory.