Pantographic 2D sheets. Discussion of some numerical investigations and potential applications

The study of generalized continuum models through the numerical investigation of discrete systems considered as an approximation to a homogenized continuum limit is nowadays a well-known research approach in mechanics. In the present paper, a system constituted by a large number of beams inter- connected via ideal hinges, called here a pantographic sheet, is considered, and some numerical simulations concerning the static and dynamic analysis of the system are presented and discussed. The observed behavior significantly differs from what one would expect from ordinary first gradient continuum models. Moreover, interesting application possibilities entailed by the specific characteristics of the structure, and in particular by the strong non-linear behavior of the mechanical variables, are discussed.