Phase Diagrams for Anticlastic and Synclastic Bending Curvatures of Hexagonal and Reentrant Honeycombs

Abstract Transformation between saddle- and dome-like bending shapes of regular and reentrant hexagonal honeycomb panels are explored. An analytical model is proposed to uncover the underlying mechanisms and identify the controlling parameter when the cell walls are slender beams. Then, 3D finite element simulations are performed to examine the architecture dependence of bending shape and construct the phase diagrams of anticlastic and synclastic curvatures when the cell walls have a general geometry. The results are believed helpful to the design and application of related honeycomb structures.