Bending of wavy spider web honeycomb sandwich structures using PLA
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Alparslan Solak
Dr. Alparslan Solak, born in 1992, graduated from Yıldız Technical University in 2014. He completed his Master’s at Istanbul Technical University in 2017 and earned his PhD from Yıldız Technical University in 2023, focusing on the mechanical behavior of wavy honeycombs under compression, bending, and impact. Since 2017, he has been a research assistant there and became an assistant professor in 2024. His research interests include bio-inspired honeycombs, the finite element method, mechanical testing, and impact simulations.
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Birgül Aşçıoğlu Temiztaş
Dr. Birgül Aşçıoğlu Temiztaş is an associate professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Karadeniz Technical University and a Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Engineering from Auburn University, USA. Her research interests include composite structures, finite element method, biomechanics, machine design, and mechanical testing. She has been serving as the Vice Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2020.
Dr. Berna Bolat is currently working as an Associate Professor at Yıldız Technical University. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. In 2006, she received her Ph.D. from Yıldız Technical University with a thesis titled ‘Simulation of Elevator Control Systems Using Genetic Algorithm.’ Her main research areas include elevators, conveyors, mechanical design, modeling-simulation, biomechanics, and mechanical testing.
Abstract
This study investigates the bending performance of wavy spider web honeycomb sandwich structures produced using polylactic acid (PLA) through 3D printing technology. The primary objective is to enhance mechanical efficiency per unit mass by integrating wave and spider web profiles, a novel approach in the literature. Tensile specimens and sandwich structures were manufactured according to ASTM standards, and their mechanical properties, including stress-strain curves, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio, were determined through tensile tests. Bending tests on straight, wavy, and spider web designs were conducted to obtain force-deformation curves and post-testing damage images. Finite element models in Ls-Dyna, validated by experimental data, showed that the wavy model achieved the highest specific energy absorption (sEA) while the spider web model exhibited the highest specific peak crushing force (sPCF). The wavy spider web model demonstrated the second-highest values for both metrics, supporting the development of next-generation sandwich structures where specific strength and energy absorption are critical.
Funding source: Yildiz Teknik Üniversitesi
Award Identifier / Grant number: FBA-2022-5106
About the authors
Dr. Alparslan Solak, born in 1992, graduated from Yıldız Technical University in 2014. He completed his Master’s at Istanbul Technical University in 2017 and earned his PhD from Yıldız Technical University in 2023, focusing on the mechanical behavior of wavy honeycombs under compression, bending, and impact. Since 2017, he has been a research assistant there and became an assistant professor in 2024. His research interests include bio-inspired honeycombs, the finite element method, mechanical testing, and impact simulations.
Dr. Birgül Aşçıoğlu Temiztaş is an associate professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Karadeniz Technical University and a Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Engineering from Auburn University, USA. Her research interests include composite structures, finite element method, biomechanics, machine design, and mechanical testing. She has been serving as the Vice Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2020.
Dr. Berna Bolat is currently working as an Associate Professor at Yıldız Technical University. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. In 2006, she received her Ph.D. from Yıldız Technical University with a thesis titled ‘Simulation of Elevator Control Systems Using Genetic Algorithm.’ Her main research areas include elevators, conveyors, mechanical design, modeling-simulation, biomechanics, and mechanical testing.
Acknowledgment
All project partners are thanked for their participation and support to complete this project successfully.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: This study was supported by Yildiz Technical University under grant number FBA-2022-5106.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
References
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Bending of wavy spider web honeycomb sandwich structures using PLA
- Tensile testing of high-speed rail wheels using tiny specimens
- Impact breaking energies and transition temperatures of construction steels produced from scrap
- Creep failure analysis of directionally solidified CM247LC superalloy
- Corrosion behavior of a dissimilar Inconel 625 superalloy and AISI 316L stainless steel weld
- Electrochemical investigation on the resistance of batch hot-dip galvanized coatings using a gel-type electrolyte
- Effect of austempering on wear resistance of GGG50 nodular cast iron
- Enhanced hippopotamus optimization algorithm and artificial neural network for mechanical component design
- Application of the incremental hole-drilling method for residual stress determination in type 4 pressure vessels
- Fatigue strength of welded armor steels with different weld penetration
- Effect of hybridization type, hole-distance and number of holes on the resistance of intraply hybrid composite plates against multiple impact
- Effect of hygrothermal aging and ply-stacking sequence on low-velocity impact properties of CFRP composite plates
- Modelling the phase homogenization subsequent to the boriding process
- Optimal hydraulic engine mount parameters using design of experiment (DoE) and response surface methodology
- Improved material generation algorithm by opposition-based learning and laplacian crossover for global optimization and advances in real-world engineering problems
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Bending of wavy spider web honeycomb sandwich structures using PLA
- Tensile testing of high-speed rail wheels using tiny specimens
- Impact breaking energies and transition temperatures of construction steels produced from scrap
- Creep failure analysis of directionally solidified CM247LC superalloy
- Corrosion behavior of a dissimilar Inconel 625 superalloy and AISI 316L stainless steel weld
- Electrochemical investigation on the resistance of batch hot-dip galvanized coatings using a gel-type electrolyte
- Effect of austempering on wear resistance of GGG50 nodular cast iron
- Enhanced hippopotamus optimization algorithm and artificial neural network for mechanical component design
- Application of the incremental hole-drilling method for residual stress determination in type 4 pressure vessels
- Fatigue strength of welded armor steels with different weld penetration
- Effect of hybridization type, hole-distance and number of holes on the resistance of intraply hybrid composite plates against multiple impact
- Effect of hygrothermal aging and ply-stacking sequence on low-velocity impact properties of CFRP composite plates
- Modelling the phase homogenization subsequent to the boriding process
- Optimal hydraulic engine mount parameters using design of experiment (DoE) and response surface methodology
- Improved material generation algorithm by opposition-based learning and laplacian crossover for global optimization and advances in real-world engineering problems
