3D printable, high energy-absorbing, biomimetic and fractal antler structures

This paper developed a new approach to construct geometrically configured biomimetic antler structures, through iterative design processes and finite element simulations, and revealed how such geometric parameters and iteration times influenced their energy absorption and Poisson’s ratios. Such developed biomimetic and fractal antler structures demonstrated significantly improved energy absorption capability under compression, with the design of structural parameters R, N and k, the specific energy absorptions have been increased by 14.4% to 66.8%. And their deformation behaviors were theoretically explained within elastic and small deformations. Accuracy of the obtained simulation and theoretical analysis results were verified through experimental studies. The novel modeling establishing method based on fractal geometry can. This research establishes an effective approach to design the complex structures using fractal geometry and a few variables of structural parameters. It is expected to provide new insights into deformation behavior of high energy-absorption biomimetic and fractal structures and offers theoretical guidance for their engineering designs of structural parameters.