Performance analysis of nature-inspired honeycomb architectures for aerospace structures

This project explores the potential of bio-inspired honeycomb structures for aerospace applications, focusing on the structural advantages of a trabeculae honeycomb design inspired by beetles. Initially, the research involved analyzing conventional honeycomb structures and their applications, followed by a detailed study of various bio-inspired designs. Through an extensive literature review, the trabeculae honeycomb structure was identified as a promising candidate due to its superior mechanical properties. The trabeculae honeycomb structure was modeled using CAD software and 3D-printed using PLA material. The structure is made up of a number of polygonal cells strengthened with trabeculae-like struts positioned at the vertices, similar to the natural architecture of Elytron Beetle Trabeculae. This one-of-a-kind arrangement increases compressive and bending strength, reduces buckling, and provides multi-directional stress distribution while keeping a lightweight profile. Finite Element Analysis and experimental tests, including compression, buckling, and bending, were conducted to evaluate the performance of the trabeculae design. The experimental validation was performed using a digital Universal Testing Machine to ensure precise measurement of mechanical behavior. The results demonstrated that the trabeculae honeycomb structure exhibits enhanced stiffness, reduced deformation, and improved energy absorption compared to conventional designs, making it highly suitable for weight-critical aerospace applications. This study highlights the potential of bio-inspired designs in advancing structural performance and material efficiency in the aerospace sector.