Finite Element Analysis of TPMS Lattice Designs for High Performance Mechanical Applications
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures are defined as continuously smooth surfaces that minimize surface area within a set boundary condition. These structures have gained popularity in research because of the surge in rapid manufacturing that created accessibility to technologies such as 3D printing that make these structures possible to fabricate. These structures can be seamlessly replicated in lattices and have unique geometrical properties without sharp edges that create reliable and strong materials for applications in vibration dampening, strain isolation, thermal conductivity, and optimized mass. The goal of this research is to computationally compare the differences in the mechanical properties of Gyroid, Primitive, and Diamond TPMS structures under static compressive loads by investigating a methodology for simulating such complex structures. This process for investigating the TPMS structure involves generating the structure using its respective equations in TPMS Designer GUI, converting to a solid structure, and then preparing in ABAQUS CAE by adding solid rigid plates to the top and bottom structure, meshing, and applying loads/displacements and boundary conditions. The 3x3x3 unit cells structures are given surface loads applied to the top plate and fixed boundary conditions applied to the bottom plate. Then, a series of simulations were run nonlinearly with a 1mm displacement, followed by a series of load-driven nonlinear simulations for different materials. Lastly, a multiplicity analysis was conducted. The results demonstrated high energy absorption in flexible materials such as ABS as well as materials with thinner features and high stresses such as the diamond structure which is more porous than others. Additionally, this research concludes the importance of the multiplicity order of the lattice as, despite a decrease in mass, a 4x4x4 structure performs better than its 3rd order counterpart under the same analysis for energy absorption. This comparison demonstrates the versatility of TPMS structures to exhibit suitable properties to their respective applications while maintaining a shared property that optimizes material volume and structural versatility. This research aims to be useful in the scope of aerospace, automotive, biomechanical, and heat exchanger engineering at a macroscopic scale to better handle mechanical stresses and absorb energy.
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Keywords
Architected Materials, TPMS, Lattice Structures, FEA, Finite Element