Anisotropic plates with architected tendon network

• Published in: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials 2024-05, Vol.153, p.106505-106505, Article 106505
• Main Authors: Hossain, Md Shahjahan, Ebrahimi, Hossein, Ghosh, Ranajay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Bending rigidity; Finite element (FE) modeling; Metamaterials
• ISSN: 1751-6161; 1878-0180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106505

We synthesize geometrically tailorable anisotropic plates by combining button shaped fish-scale like features on soft substrates, then lacing them with high-stiffness strings. This creates a new type of biomimetic architectured structure with multiple broken symmetries. First, the tendons and substrate together break the symmetry of the bending response between the concave and convex curvature. Next, the weave pattern of the tendons further breaks symmetry along the two directors of plates. The anisotropy is clearly evident in 3-point bending experiments. Motivated by these experiments and the need for design, we formulate an analytical energy-based model to quantify the anisotropic elasticity. The derived architecture-property relationships can be used to design architected tendon plates with desirable properties. [Display omitted] •Experimental study of anisotropic plates with string covered structure.•Analytical energy-based model and FE evaluation of the structure.•Providing design insights for tailored biomimetic architectured structures.•Investigating the locking behavior of the structure resulting from contact between button.