Rarefaction Wave Propagation in Origami-Based Mechanical Metamaterials

Abstract

We design origami-based mechanical metamaterials composed of Tachi-Miura Polyhedron (TMP) cells, and we numerically study the propagation of nonlinear waves in them. In order to investigate the dynamics of origami structures, we model these TMP-based metamaterials into a simple multi-bar linkage model. By using this model, we find that these TMP cells exhibit strain softening behavior under compression, which can be tuned by modifying their geometrical configurations or initial conditions. By leveraging such tunable strain softening mechanisms, we verify that the origami-based metamaterials can support the propagation of rarefaction waves. These waves feature tensile wave-fronts despite the application of compressive impact to the system. Such unusual characteristics can be exploited to disintegrate shock waves in a controllable and efficient manner, thereby leading to potential applications in impact mitigation and absorption.