Evaluation of the equivalent mechanical properties in a novel composite cruciform honeycomb using analytical and numerical methods

Abstract In the present study, a novel theoretical model is developed, based on the energy method, to predict the equivalent mechanical properties of a new morphing structure with zero Poisson’s ratio, which is composed of continuous fiber reinforced composite struts . Due to the employing glass fiber in fabricating the proposed cruciform honeycomb, higher strength than the structures made of pure isotropic materials is obtained. The use of cells with a zero Poisson's ratio also increases the flexural strength of the structure. In the continuation of the paper, by examining the geometric effects on the equivalent properties, a parametric study is performed. Then, using the appropriate failure criterion, the tensile and compressive strength of this network is obtained. The extracted properties are used in nonlinear analysis of the response of morphing structures and to improve the performance of these structures under different loads. It should be noted that in order to validate the relationships developed in this paper, the experimental tests and finite element methods are employed.