Design and mechanical properties of lightweight bionic structures with non-connected spherical lumens

In order to design and develop lightweight bionic composites, the microstructure of Cybister's elytra cross section was analyzed. It was found that the inside hollow structure of Cybister's elytra is non-connected spherical lumens. Inspired by the unique structures of Cybister's elytra, a lightweight bionic structure was designed. Some spherical lumens were distributed by regular hexagon form in the structure. In order to investigate the mechanical characteristics of the bionic structure, two kinds of common hollow structures were brought in. By using the finite element analysis software ANSYS, the compression, tension and bending properties of the bionic structure and the other two kinds of common hollow structures were finite element analyzed and comparatively studied. The result shows that the bionic structure has much stronger anti-pressure ability and tensile resistance, as well as far higher yield strength, than the other two kinds of common hollow structures, the mechanical properties are excellent. This bionic structure could provide bionics references for developing novel biomimetic composites in the aspect of material structures.