Folding-mediated soft elasticity and bandgap variation in mechanical metamaterials

Soft mechanical metamaterials with hinge-like elements can undergo multi-step reconfiguration through folding and contacts, and thus exhibit highly nonlinear responses. Numerical simulation of the nonlinear behaviors is essential for the design and control of the mechanical metamaterials, but it remains a challenge due to complicated nonlinear effects. Here, we report the finite element modeling of multi-step reconfiguration of a shape-changing metamaterial, and elucidate the underlying mechanism of soft elasticity. The predicted stress-strain curve together with the folding angles of hinge elements shows excellent agreement with experimental data reported in the literature. Moreover, we explore the influence of reconfiguration and folding-induced internal stress on the bandgap distribution of the mechanical metamaterials. Our efforts provide useful guidelines for the design and application of mechanical metamaterials for both static and dynamic situations.

Automated summary

The study presents finite element modeling of multi-step reconfiguration of soft mechanical metamaterials and elucidates the underlying mechanism of soft elasticity. The predicted stress-strain curve and folding angles of hinge elements show excellent agreement with experimental data, and the influence of reconfiguration and folding-induced internal stress on the bandgap distribution of mechanical metamaterials is explored. This work provides useful guidelines for the design and application of mechanical metamaterials in both static and dynamic situations.