Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Lattice Metamaterials and Their Composites

Author

• Ehsanul Azim, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

7-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Mohammad Refatul Islam

Second Advisor

Maysam Pournik

Third Advisor

AMM Nazmul Ahsan

Abstract

This thesis investigates the compression mechanics of strut-based lattice structures and their composites formed by filling the lattice pore space with a foam matrix. Three lattice topologies (cubic, body-centered, and octet lattices) have been explored, while the matrix properties have been varied based on flexible and rigid foam properties. First, a computational study was performed by developing finite element models of three empty lattices and their composites. In the second part of this thesis, the three lattice structures and their composites were fabricated and studied experimentally using uniaxial compression tests to investigate the effect of foam matrix and lattice topology on the mechanical properties. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the matrix leads to a nonlinear reinforcement in terms of composite’s modulus, yield strength, and energy absorption. This integrated computational and experimental study provides novel insights into designing filled lattice composites with enhanced mechanical properties and energy absorption capacity.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Ehsanul Azim. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3313405091

Recommended Citation

Azim, E. (2025). Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Lattice Metamaterials and Their Composites [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1857