Tough bioinspired composites through bone - bamboo hybrid gradient designs: Simulation, deep learning, and 3D-printing
Journal
Composites Part B: Engineering
Journal Volume
317
Start Page
113595
ISSN
13598368
Date Issued
2026-05-15
Author(s)
Abstract
Natural composites exhibit outstanding mechanical properties, refined over millions of years of adaptation through gradient architectures and hierarchical organization. Inspired by these principles, we present a strategy for designing hybrid bone–bamboo-like gradient composites and establish an integrated simulation-AI-3D-printing framework for their evaluation and validation. Using lattice spring simulation, we examine graded structures with monotonic, partially and randomly shuffled volume fraction sequences. Our results show that placing a high soft-phase volume fraction (46.80%) at the notch improves strength by ∼5% and toughness by ∼25%, due to enhanced crack deflection and distributed energy dissipation. To accelerate mechanical performance prediction, we train a deep learning model on 200 samples, achieving R2 scores of ∼0.8 for strength and toughness. The model generalizes across 1620 additional designs, capturing layer sequencing effects using only volume fraction inputs. Selected top-performing designs were 3D printed using a multimaterial printer, validating the simulation predictions. This work offers a mechanics-informed design framework that tunes notch-adjacent compliance through gradient sequencing to create hybrid gradient composites. Integrating natural design principles with AI and additive manufacturing, this study provides a pathway for developing tough bioinspired materials with tunable fracture resistance.
Subjects
3D-printing
Bamboo
Bioinspired composites
Bone-inspired
Gradient
Simulation
Toughness
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article