Vibration Properties of TPMS Based Structures

Abstract

Having interesting properties, inherent characteristics and certain trigonometric function compositions, TPMSs (triply periodic minimal surfaces), is one of the best candidate for porous scaffold production by having many tuneable parameters. TPMS unit cells have a crystalline structure, in the sense of repeating themselves infinitely in space, in other words being triply periodic. The structure can be found in living beings such as butterflies, beetles and other insects as biologically optimized surfaces for different focuses. TPMS based scaffolds can be optimized for not only geometric but also mechanic requirements by tunning parameters. Besides to tunable parameters, the development of 3D printer systems that can use metalic materials, it has become possible to produce porous structures that can be obtained with increased precision of micro details for the productions requiring certain mechanical properties. In this study, the natural vibrational behavior of TPMS based structures is investigated by focusing on the combination of material and geometry with the highest production potential. TPMS structures with different geometry, material and wall thickness have been studied in a wide and feasible range depending on the change of parameters directly affecting modal behavior such as mass and stiffness. In this respect, the results that can be used as comparative values for TPMS based constructions are obtained. As a result of the obtained results, it has been seen that not only the numerical changes in the natural vibration behaviors of the systems, but also the behavioral characteristics which are difficult to predict are emerged. It is thought that the results obtained are important not only for theoretical studies but also for practical applications.

Keywords: Triply periodic, minimal surfaces, natural vibration, TMPS, modal analysis