Numerical and experimental studies on compressive behavior of Gyroid lattice cylindrical shells

In this paper, Gyroid lattice cylindrical shell (LCS) specimens were designed by a newly proposed mapping methodology and were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technology. Their energy absorption and deformation modes were investigated through quasi-static compression tests. A finite element model (FEM) was proposed, which was validated by the experimental results, for a further study on the compressive behavior of the Gyroid LCS. Based on the numerical study, it was found that Gyroid LCS showed superior energy absorption to the hexagonal LCS and triangular LCS with the same density. In addition, a parametric study indicated that main energy absorption factors, namely total energy absorption, specific energy absorption and mean crushing load, were in power function relationship with the relative density. Finally, it was found that thickness gradient and geometric gradient had significant effects on the failure modes of Gyroid LCS under compression. The research in this paper is expected to provide some guidance for the design of energy absorption devices or structures. [Display omitted] •Gyroid lattice cylindrical shells (LCS) can be designed and fabricated by using a proposed mapping method.•The Gyroid LCS structures present a globally uniform collapse rather than layer by layer crushing under compressive loading.•Gyroid LCS show significantly higher energy absorption comparing to hexagonal and triangular LCS with comparable density.•Thickness gradient has a significant effect on the load capacity of the Gyroid LCS in compression.