Design and Characterization of Asymmetric Cell Structure of Auxetic Material for Predictable Directional Mechanical Response

A three-dimensional auxetic structure based on a known planar configuration including a design parameter producing asymmetry is proposed in this study. The auxetic cell is designed by topology analysis using classical Timoshenko beam theory in order to obtain the required orthotropic elastic properties. Samples of the structure are fabricated using the ABSplus fused filament technique and subsequently tested under quasi-static compression to statistically determine the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus. The experimental results show good agreement with the topological analysis and reveal that the proposed structure can adequately provide different elastic properties in its three orthogonal directions. In addition, three point bending tests were carried out to determine the mechanical behavior of this cellular structure. The results show that this auxetic cell influences the macrostructure to exhibit different stiffness behavior in three working directions.