Selective buckling via states of self-stress in topological metamaterials.

ABSTRACT: States of self-stress--tensions and compressions of structural elements that result in zero net forces--play an important role in determining the load-bearing ability of structures ranging from bridges to metamaterials with tunable mechanical properties. We exploit a class of recently introduced states of self-stress analogous to topological quantum states to sculpt localized buckling regions in the interior of periodic cellular metamaterials. Although the topological states of self-stress arise in the linear response of an idealized mechanical frame of harmonic springs connected by freely hinged joints, they leave a distinct signature in the nonlinear buckling behavior of a cellular material built out of elastic beams with rigid joints. The salient feature of these localized buckling regi

SUBMITTER: Paulose J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4485125 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature