Structural optimization, compressive strength analysis, and application exploration of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) in interior design

In modern interior design, the selection of materials and structural optimization are critical to achieving both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), with their outstanding mechanical properties and lightweight characteristics, have increasingly attracted the attention of designers. In this study, Gyroid (G) TPMS structures were fabricated using LCD-based photopolymerization technology, and ten models with periodic parameter T ranging from [1/5, 2] were designed. Finite element simulations and experimental validations were employed to thoroughly analyze the structural optimization and compressive strength of G surfaces, particularly when T = 1/3. The results revealed that at T = 1/3, G surfaces exhibited minimal stress concentration, a moderate number of meshes, and optimal values for compression crush rate and porosity error. Furthermore, with T = 1/3 and a porosity of 50%, additional parameters such as surface offset, cell thickness, offset thickness, and gradient distribution were adjusted to design four distinct G surface structures. Compression tests were conducted to investigate the effects of different loading directions on mechanical properties, deformation behavior, and energy absorption. It was found that under vertical loading, the surface-offset G surface exhibited the highest energy absorption and efficiency, while under parallel loading, the cell-thickness G surface demonstrated the most stable deformation. The application of these structures in interior design is thoroughly discussed, emphasizing how TPMS can serve as effective structural systems and innovative spatial elements. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation and extensive experimental evidence for the application of TPMS structures in interior design.