Integrated Framework for Design Exploration and Analysis of Periodic, Non-periodic, and Quasi-periodic Cellular Structures Based Components
Abstract
Cellular structures possess unique combinations of low weight, energy absorption, thermal dissipation, structural strength, structural intricacy, and even structural aesthetics, which are very favorable in many fields of science and technology. While cellular structures bring in transformative opportunities in various applications, their potential for everyday use in common industrial practice still lies largely idle. One of the major reasons is the lack of specialized tools that allow us to systematically design, explore, and analyze different and varied types of cellular structures. This dissertation offers an integrated framework for the design exploration and analysis of three types of cellular structures: (1) periodic, (2) non-periodic, and (3) quasi-periodic structures.In this dissertation, novel cellular structure generation-through-analysis tools are outlined that enable the automation and seamless integration of procedures from cellular structure geometric modeling, analysis through numerical methods, and inverse problem solving through the use of optimization. Specifically, this dissertation outlines (1) an efficient computing platform to realize the cellular structural designs and analyses using periodic structures, (2) an upgraded computing platform to extend the diversity of cellular structural designs by creating non-periodic structures, and (3) two schemes to explore the design and optimization of quasi-periodic structures for addressing the limitations of both periodic and non-periodic structures in cellular structural designs.