Analysis and design of bistable and thermally reversible metamaterials inspired by shape-memory alloys
Publicated to:International Journal Of Solids And Structures. 275 112278- - 2023-07-15 275(), DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2023.112278
Authors: Vasudevan, A; Rodríguez-Martínez, JA; Romero, I
Affiliations
Abstract
In this work, we study lattice structures that exhibit a bistable behavior, i. e., they can snap from one stable state to another, and are also completely reversible, capable of reverting back to its original state through a heat treatment. We design this behavior by constructing lattice structures using networks of nonlinear springs that display tension–compression asymmetry and have different thermal expansion coefficients. The mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients induces residual stresses in the springs which results in the lattice structure exhibiting bistability at low temperatures and monostability at high temperatures. This behavior mimics the crystallographic phase transformations of shape memory alloys, but here artificially introduced in a structural lattice. By analyzing a representative unit cell, we quantify the effect that the stiffness and the thermal expansion coefficient of the springs have on the stability of the structural lattice. In addition, for simple 2D lattices, using the concept of universal unfoldings of singularity theory, we perform a perturbation analysis to identify the key variables of the structure where controlling defects is important, as they lead to drastic changes in the bifurcation behavior of the lattice. Finally, we verify numerically our analytical predictions in both 2D and 3D simulations using continuation techniques. The examples proposed confirm that the bistable and reversible features of the unit cell carry on to the macroscale, opening the route for the design of lattice structures for energy absorption applications that can heal with a heat treatment.
Keywords
Quality index
Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel
The work has been published in the journal International Journal Of Solids And Structures due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 39/170, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mechanics.
From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.18, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)
Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-10, the following number of citations:
- WoS: 5
- Scopus: 5
Impact and social visibility
Leadership analysis of institutional authors
There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (ROMERO OLLEROS, IGNACIO).
the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been ROMERO OLLEROS, IGNACIO.