Three novel computational modeling frameworks of 3D-printed graphene platelets reinforced functionally graded triply periodic minimal surface (GPLR-FG-TPMS) plates

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of novel frameworks for graphene platelets reinforced functionally graded triply periodic minimal surface (GPLR-FG-TPMS) plates. Three functional grading frameworks, which focus on controlling mass density, elastic modulus, and shear modulus, are proposed, each incorporating three porosity distributions in combination with three GPL volume fraction distributions. Three sheet-based TPMS structures including Primitive, Gyroid, and I-graph and Wrapped Package-graph are explored in this study. The static and free vibration analyses of these plates are conducted using a five-variable plate theory model with isogeometric analysis (IGA). The key parameters in each framework, including porosity coefficients and GPL weight fractions, are attentively studied. Their influences on plate responses are indicated corresponding to each porosity and GPL volume distribution. Notably, the mass density framework exhibits significant potential as a means of comparing different porous cores. It can further provide an approximate stiffness-to-weight ratio with a great lower weight compared to others. In this framework, the fundamental frequency of the plate can be achieved at approximately 95% of the frequency obtained with 0.97 and 0.98 weight in the elastic modulus and shear modulus frameworks, respectively, while utilizing only 0.35 of the total weight. To demonstrate the efficiency of the novel FG plate models, two cellular solids are also adopted in computations. The comparison of these structures in all three frameworks together with different porosity distributions is presented using polar charts. Remarkably, we find that in the context of thick plates, Primitive plates exhibit superior performance among all the plates. In general, this research tries to shed light on the development of advanced GPLR-FG-TPMS plates, elucidating the effects of different functional grading frameworks and guiding the design of lightweight and mechanically efficient structures.

Automated summary

This study presents novel frameworks for graphene platelets reinforced functionally graded triply periodic minimal surface (GPLR-FG-TPMS) plates and investigates their performance through static and free vibration analyses. The results show that the mass density framework has potential for comparing different porous cores and provides a low weight and high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Primitive plates exhibit superior performance among thick plates.