Programming of Nonlinear Heterogeneous Metamaterial for Shock and Vibration

Abstract A digitally encoded mechanical metamaterial utilizing selective insertion of rigid elements into an elastomeric matrix achieves programmable stiffness based on geometric patterns. Beyond the linear behavior, interests are developed towards the nonlinear stiffness region to extend the application of such metamaterials from vibration isolation to shock mitigation. A 12-unit-cell prototype is constructed and experimentally characterized under compression and drop tests, yielding the stress-strain curves and energy absorption capabilities of all independent geometric patterns identified, respectively, with validation by finite-element analysis. The versatility of the metamaterial is illustrated via a categorization of its pattern-dependent responses.