Compressive Properties of Composite Sandwich Structure with Fractal Tree-Inspired Lattice Core

A novel sandwich structure of a fractal tree-like lattice (SSFL) is proposed. The geometry characteristics were constructed based on the fractal tree-like patterns found in many biological structures, such as giant water lilies and dragon blood trees. The compressive performance of the proposed structures with different fractal orders was experimentally and numerically investigated. The experimental samples were made by 3D printing technology. Axial compression tests were conducted to study the compressive performance and failure mode of the SSFLs. The results indicated that the new structure was good at multiple bearing and energy absorption. The finite element method (FEM) was performed to investigate the influence of geometry parameters on the compression behaviors of the SSFLs. The findings of this study provide an effective guide for using the fractal method to design lattice structures with a high bearing capacity.