Chirality effects in panto-cylindrical structures

Abstract

In this paper, we apply a numerical integration strategy recently developed for determining the deformation shapes of structures constituted by Cosserat rods, to predict the behavior of panto-cylinders. Panto-cylinders have, as microstructure, a set of two families of helicoidal beams interconnected by perfect or elastic joints. The pivot’s free rotation axis is, in the reference configuration, orthogonal to the cylindrical surfaces spanned by the beams. We perform a series of numerical simulations looking for the mechanical parameters which exalt the chirality effects in the structure. For the performed compression, extensions, shear, and torsion tests, we find chiral deformation patterns with a dependence on the type of joint and its length.