Influence of Local Wall Variation in the Elastic Properties of Planar Cellular Solids

A numerical model based on one-dimensional cell wall behavior is used to study the influence of changes in the cell wall properties on the global stiffness parameters of two-dimensional open-celled honeycombs. Following validation of results for intact microstructures, cases are considered, including regular and irregular cellular structures, structures with missing/broken cell walls, and structures with cell walls of non-uniform thickness. The influence of each of these flaws or changes in microstructure is quantified, with broken cell walls dominating changes in bulk behavior and varying cell wall thickness resulting in changes to bulk properties that can be considered negligible.