Antisymmetric arcs guided deformable metamaterial with dual- plateau stress in two directions and tunable mechanical properties

Abstract To overcome the limitations of conventional metamaterials constrained by single-platform stress behavior and to enhance structural controllability, this study proposes a design strategy for constructing dual-platform stress stepped mechanical metamaterials. Inspired by the compressible folding deformation mechanism of cuttlefish bones, the proposed architecture incorporates asymmetric arc walls within an inward-contracting double-V honeycomb structure. Experimental results and finite element simulations demonstrate that this design produces a pronounced dual-step response pattern, enabling tunable strain lengths and stress levels in the stress–strain curve. Furthermore, the study identifies the mechanisms through which geometric parameters govern key mechanical properties, including stress-strain response, Poisson's ratio, EA, and SEA. A theoretical model is developed to accurately predict the average stress distribution across the dual-platform structure, providing a foundation for multi-parameter cooperative optimization. The underlying mechanism benefits from a strong coupling effect between structural morphology and deformation path. This work offers a novel pathway for designing multifunctional smart metamaterials with programmable mechanical responses.