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Origami-inspired structures and material systems have been used in many engineering applications because of their unique kinematic and mechanical properties induced by folding. However, accurately modeling and analyzing origami folding and the associated mechanical properties are challenging, especially when large deformation and dynamic responses need to be considered. In this paper, we formulate a high-fidelity model — based on the iso-parametric Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF) — for simulating the dynamic folding behaviors of origami involving large deformation. The centerpiece of this new model is the characterization of crease deformation. To this end, we model the crease using rotational spring at the nodes. The corresponding folding angle is calculated based on the local surface normal vectors. Compared to the currently popular analytical methods for analyzing origami, such as the rigid-facet and equivalent bar-hinge approach, this new model is more accurate in that it can describe the large crease and facet deformation without imposing many assumptions. Meanwhile, the ANCF based origami model can be more efficient computationally compared to the traditional finite element simulations. Therefore, this new model can lay down the foundation for high-fidelity origami analysis and design that involves mechanics and dynamics.
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Origami-based impact mitigation via rarefaction solitary wave creation
The principles underlying the art of origami paper folding can be applied to design sophisticated metamaterials with unique mechanical properties. By exploiting the flat crease patterns that determine the dynamic folding and unfolding motion of origami, we are able to design an origami-based metamaterial that can form rarefaction solitary waves. Our analytical, numerical, and experimental results demonstrate that this rarefaction solitary wave overtakes initial compressive strain waves, thereby causing the latter part of the origami structure to feel tension first instead of compression under impact. This counterintuitive dynamic mechanism can be used to create a highly efficient—yet reusable—impact mitigating system without relying on material damping, plasticity, or fracture.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1809074
- PAR ID:
- 10109168
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Science Advances
- Volume:
- 5
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2375-2548
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- eaau2835
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aau2835
