Skeletal muscle mechanics exhibit a range of noteworthy characteristics, providing great inspiration for the development of advanced structural and material systems. These characteristics arise from the synergies demonstrated between muscle’s constituents across the various length scales. From the macroscale oblique orientation of muscle fibers to the microscale lattice spacing of sarcomeres, muscle takes advantage of geometries and multidimensionality for force generation or length change along a desired axis. Inspired by these behaviors, this research investigates how the incorporation of multidimensionality afforded by oblique, pennate architectures can uncover novel mechanics in structures exhibiting multistability. Experimental investigation of these mechanics is undertaken using specimens of molded silicone rubber with patterned voids, and results reveal tailorable mono-, bi-, and multi-stability under axial displacements by modulation of transverse confinement. If the specimen is considered as an architected material, these results show its ability to generate intriguing, non-monotonic shear stresses. The outcomes would foster the development of novel, advanced mechanical metamaterials that exploit pennation and multidimensionality.

Date Published: 11 April 2017
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 10164, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2017, 1016415 (11 April 2017); doi: 10.1117/12.2259990

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10164:
Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2017
Gyuhae Park, Editor(s)