Study on Deformable Space Structure System Consisting of Lattice Structures

Abstract

The structural characteristics of lattice structures with additional members attached to the X-lattice were investigated. The X-lattice, with unit cells comprised of beams that connect the vertices of a cube, has a low bending and high torsional stiffness. The addition of members in the X-lattice can increase the bending stiffness in a specific direction. In other words, a lattice structure that can tolerate bending deformation in a specific direction can be realized. In addition, an X-lattice with additional members with slits was developed. This lattice structure is flexible when the bending deformation is small. However, when the deformation exceeds a certain magnitude, the members come into contact with each other, which increases the stiffness of the structure. An X-lattice specimen and specimens with additional members were fabricated by a three-dimensional printer. Bending experiments were conducted to evaluate their structural characteristics. The experimental results showed that the introduction of additional members can change the stiffness in a specific direction, while the member with a slit can increase the stiffness with a given deformation.