Multiple strut-deformation patterns based analytical elastic modulus of sandwich BCC lattices

This paper proposed an analytical methodology to predict the mechanical properties of sandwich body-centred cubic (BCC) lattice structures. Based on the Timoshenko beam theory, the multiple strut-deformation patterns were first introduced in the derivations of the elastic constants. The propagation of strut-deformation patterns was explained to identify the borders of parts with different elastic constants. The analytical elastic moduli of three types of sandwich BCC lattices were derived. Finite element models of the BCC lattice structures were established to estimate the deviations between the numerical and analytical solutions. Cubic sandwich BCC lattice structures were printed using titanium alloy (TC 4) as constitutive material, and corresponding compression experiments were conducted to validate the analytical and numerical calculations. Excellent agreements were observed among the analytical, numerical and experimental results. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.