Background Architected metamaterials, particularly periodic lattice cores, offer exceptional mechanical performance by providing high specific strength and stiffness while maintaining a lightweight structure. Their cellular geometries can be tuned to provide vibration attenuation and energy absorption without additional damping materials. This makes lattice-core sandwich structures attractive for aerospace and automotive applications, where low weight and improved vibration isolation are required. In particular, advanced lattices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional strut-based cores, due to their tailored topology and multifunctional behaviour. Purpose It is essential to investigate the vibration behaviour of TPMS structures, as their unique geometries offer potential advantages in vibration isolation, damping, and structural performance, which are the key factors for lightweight and dynamic applications. This study investigates and compares the vibration performance of 3D-printed metamaterial sandwich beams by incorporating TPMS lattice cores (Gyroid, Diamond, and IWP) with a strut-based Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) core, aiming to identify the superior vibration isolation potential of TPMS architectures. Methods The BCC and TPMS lattice sandwich beams were initially designed based on their relative density and unit cell size. They were then fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) via Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), with PLA used for both the face sheets and the lattice cores. Experimental modal analysis was conducted to measure damped natural frequencies, damping ratios, and frequency response functions (FRF). Simultaneously, finite element (FE) modal and harmonic response analyses were performed in ANSYS Workbench to compute undamped natural frequencies, mode shapes, and FRF for each configuration. Finally, the numerical model was validated by comparing its results with experimental data. Results Experimental and numerical analyses consistently indicated that TPMS cores outperformed the BCC core in vibration suppression. Quantitatively, the Gyroid, Diamond, and IWP TPMS beams exhibited amplitude reductions of approximately <Emphasis FontCategory="NonProportional">51.76%</Emphasis>, <Emphasis FontCategory="NonProportional">36.67%</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis FontCategory="NonProportional">23.60%</Emphasis>, respectively in the first mode, compared to the BCC configuration. Among these, the Gyroid and Diamond lattices showed notably lower natural frequencies and superior vibration isolation. The numerical FRF curves closely matched the experimental trends, confirming the robustness of the model. Conclusion The comparative analysis demonstrates the novelty of employing TPMS architectures for improved vibration attenuation relative to traditional strut-based cores. TPMS metamaterial cores exhibiting lower resonant responses and enhanced damping compared to the BCC core. These results highlight the advantages of TPMS-based lattice beams for lightweight structures requiring effective vibration isolation. Specifically, sandwich beams with Gyroid and Diamond TPMS cores are well-suited for aerospace, mechanical, and structural applications where vibration control is essential.

Comparative Study on Vibration Characteristics of 3D Printed BCC and TPMS Metamaterial based Sandwich Beams

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年11月17日

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Eqbert K,
Sujeesh S,
Prakash Rajendran

摘要

Background

Architected metamaterials, particularly periodic lattice cores, offer exceptional mechanical performance by providing high specific strength and stiffness while maintaining a lightweight structure. Their cellular geometries can be tuned to provide vibration attenuation and energy absorption without additional damping materials. This makes lattice-core sandwich structures attractive for aerospace and automotive applications, where low weight and improved vibration isolation are required. In particular, advanced lattices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional strut-based cores, due to their tailored topology and multifunctional behaviour.

Purpose

It is essential to investigate the vibration behaviour of TPMS structures, as their unique geometries offer potential advantages in vibration isolation, damping, and structural performance, which are the key factors for lightweight and dynamic applications. This study investigates and compares the vibration performance of 3D-printed metamaterial sandwich beams by incorporating TPMS lattice cores (Gyroid, Diamond, and IWP) with a strut-based Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) core, aiming to identify the superior vibration isolation potential of TPMS architectures.

Methods

The BCC and TPMS lattice sandwich beams were initially designed based on their relative density and unit cell size. They were then fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) via Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), with PLA used for both the face sheets and the lattice cores. Experimental modal analysis was conducted to measure damped natural frequencies, damping ratios, and frequency response functions (FRF). Simultaneously, finite element (FE) modal and harmonic response analyses were performed in ANSYS Workbench to compute undamped natural frequencies, mode shapes, and FRF for each configuration. Finally, the numerical model was validated by comparing its results with experimental data.

Results

Experimental and numerical analyses consistently indicated that TPMS cores outperformed the BCC core in vibration suppression. Quantitatively, the Gyroid, Diamond, and IWP TPMS beams exhibited amplitude reductions of approximately 51.76%, 36.67%, and 23.60%, respectively in the first mode, compared to the BCC configuration. Among these, the Gyroid and Diamond lattices showed notably lower natural frequencies and superior vibration isolation. The numerical FRF curves closely matched the experimental trends, confirming the robustness of the model.

Conclusion

The comparative analysis demonstrates the novelty of employing TPMS architectures for improved vibration attenuation relative to traditional strut-based cores. TPMS metamaterial cores exhibiting lower resonant responses and enhanced damping compared to the BCC core. These results highlight the advantages of TPMS-based lattice beams for lightweight structures requiring effective vibration isolation. Specifically, sandwich beams with Gyroid and Diamond TPMS cores are well-suited for aerospace, mechanical, and structural applications where vibration control is essential.