Optimizing computational efficiency in TPMS structural design

Abstract This paper introduces a modeling approach for simulating additively manufactured triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). These structures are useful in various engineering applications due to their unique geometric, mechanical, and lightweight properties. They serve as a second hierarchy level beneath the component design level. The detailed finite element analysis of these structures in components requires intensive computational resources due to the complex geometries of TPMS. To address these challenges, a surrogate model based on homogenization is proposed, simplifying the geometric and mechanical representation of TPMS and enabling more efficient simulations without compromising accuracy. Quasi-static and high-speed compression tests on TPMS cubes with different densities have been conducted to investigate the mechanical properties and dependencies. The material model, parametrized based on these experiments, was validated using experimental data from a bending test conducted on a beam featuring density-graded TPMS structures. The simulation model demonstrated excellent agreement with experimental results and offered a promising tool for the rapid and efficient design of TPMS-graded components. The model’s applicability is demonstrated through its ability to accurately predict the mechanical behavior of TPMS structures under varying structural and loading conditions. Therefore, it has the potential for a broader implementation in engineering design frameworks.