Enhanced design and experimental validation of negative and zero Poisson’s ratio metamaterials using topology optimization method

Abstract This paper presents novel advancements in the design of negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) and zero Poisson’s ratio (ZPR) metamaterials through the topology optimization method (TOM). The optimization is based on using triangular regions, which is more proper than quadrilateral regions for modeling oblique members of the cellular structures. By employing triangular regions, the study achieves enhanced auxetic shapes with improved NPR and stiffness values simultaneously. Furthermore, a significant contribution of this research is the using a TOM to maximize the stiffness of the ZPR structures. Furthermore, two-dimensional finite element method (FEM) was employed to verify the TO results. In addition, the optimized structures were manufactured by fused deposition modeling 3D printing techniques and were subjected to quasi-static compressive loading, and the results were compared with three-dimensional FEM. The results indicate that this new method has great potential for designing metamaterial structures with specific mechanical properties for several uses. It can optimize stiffness, Poisson’s ratio, and structure weight simultaneously.