Simulated properties of Kagomé and tetragonal truss core panels

The finite element method has been used to simulate the properties of panels with Kagomé and tetragonal cores under compressive and shear loading. The simulation has been performed for two different materials: a Cu-alloy with extensive strain hardening and an Al-alloy with minimal hardening. It is shown that the Kagomé core is more resistant to plastic buckling than the tetragonal core under both compression and shear. One consequence is that the Kagomé structure has the greater load capacity and a deferred susceptibility to softening. Another is that the Kagomé core is isotropic in shear: contrasting with the soft orientations exhibited by the tetragonal core.