Novel design for transition elements in multistable structures and analysis of splicing effect

Multistable composite laminate structures, which can maintain multiple stable configurations without external support, have attracted considerable interest in aerospace and adaptive architecture applications. This study introduces an innovative design methodology that incorporates locally staggered transition elements to enhance the multistability of such structures. The proposed approach ensures geometric continuity during configuration transitions while alleviating interfacial constraints between transition elements and adjacent deformation regions. This reduction in constraints promotes greater out-of-plane deformations in primary deformation zones, enabling stable configurations with reduced energy input. Additionally, the influence of fiber ply angles on deformation amplitude in deformation elements is systematically examined, and optimal integration strategies for multistable submodule splicing are explored. Finally, the impact of fiber ply angle variations on structural splicing integrity is analyzed. The findings offer valuable insights and technical guidance for designing transition elements and optimizing structural splicing in multistable systems.