Research on multistable characteristics of inclined self-supporting cosine-curved shell structures
CHEN Zhuo
WANG Xin
WANG Shuai
HE Jialu
LI Xiangyuan
Abstract：Negative stiffness multistable structures are widely utilized across various fields due to their adjustability and recoverability.However,the existing negative stiffness multistable curved dome is limited in its form and assembly flexibility.Therefore,this study proposes a design for a self-supporting negative stiffness multistable curved dome based on the cosine function.Finite element simulation was employed to investigate the force-displacement characteristics,steady-state behavior,and stiffness of individual units and the overall system.Furthermore,the impact of the curved dome's height and the supporting part's height on the steady-state properties of the structure was analyzed.Subsequently,an optimization algorithm based on response surface methodology was utilized to determine the optimal parameters for the unit.Additionally,3D printing technology was employed to fabricate a twin-unit system using TPU material,followed by conducting quasi-static compression experiments and comparing the results with simulation data.The results indicate that the self-supporting curved dome,compared to the existing thick-encircled curved dome,facilitates easier attainment of a bistable state.By effectively controlling the height of the curved dome and the supporting structure,a bistable as well as a tri-stable state can be achieved.During the compression process,the system's stable state can be altered,and the positive stiffness increases as compression progresses.Both parallel and flipped connections demonstrate the buckling process of each unit during loading and its tri-stable state.The self-supporting cosine curved dome enables more flexible combinations and superposition of multiple units compared to the existing thick encircled curved dome.The self-supporting cosine curved dome provides a new structure for programmable and intelligent control of structural performance and offers a promising direction for the advancement of multistable structures.
Keywords：Cosine curved domeNegative stiffnessMultistableMetamaterialBistable
Publication Date：2025-11-15
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-12(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 79-88 )