Analysis of the compression behaviour of different composite lattice designs

Abstract

Four all-composite lattice designs were produced using a lost-mould procedure that involved inserting carbon fibre tows through holes in a core. Following resin infusion and curing, samples were heated to melt the core, leaving well-defined lattice structures based on what are termed BCC, BCCz, FCC and F2BCC designs. Analytical and numerical models for predicting the mechanical properties of the four designs are presented and these results are compared with the experimental data from the quasi-static compression tests. Compression tests on the four lattice structures indicated that the F2BCC lattice offered the highest compression strength, although when normalized by relative density, the BCCz lattice structure out-performed other structures. Similarly, the specific compression strengths were found to be superior to those of more traditional core materials. A number of failure mechanisms were also highlighted, including strut buckling, fracture at the strut-skin joints and debonding of reinforcing members at the central nodes. Finally, it is believed that the properties of these lattices can be further increased using higher fibre volume fractions.