TY - JOUR
T1 - Suture inspired interlocking structure with programmable stiffness
AU - Jiang, Peng
AU - Qi, Jixiang
AU - Xiong, Xun
AU - Yang, Heng
AU - Li, Ying
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026
PY - 2026/2/1
Y1 - 2026/2/1
N2 - Structural properties often depend on scale, with the number of unit cells significantly influencing overall performance. Similar to systems like capstans, twisted yarns, and interleaved books, sutured structures also exhibit force amplification. In this study, we demonstrate a substantial force amplification effect in a suture-inspired interlocking structure, where the total pullout force increases dramatically with the number of components. This phenomenon highlights the feedback interactions among the system's elements. By integrating theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental validation, we show that this behavior can be controlled through parameters that include component count, geometry, and friction coefficients. Utilizing topological principles from graph theory, we quantify the interaction strengths within the system and apply this framework to structural design. The resulting suture-inspired interlocking structure (SIIS) features programmable deformation and tailored mechanical responses.
AB - Structural properties often depend on scale, with the number of unit cells significantly influencing overall performance. Similar to systems like capstans, twisted yarns, and interleaved books, sutured structures also exhibit force amplification. In this study, we demonstrate a substantial force amplification effect in a suture-inspired interlocking structure, where the total pullout force increases dramatically with the number of components. This phenomenon highlights the feedback interactions among the system's elements. By integrating theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental validation, we show that this behavior can be controlled through parameters that include component count, geometry, and friction coefficients. Utilizing topological principles from graph theory, we quantify the interaction strengths within the system and apply this framework to structural design. The resulting suture-inspired interlocking structure (SIIS) features programmable deformation and tailored mechanical responses.
KW - Bioinspired design
KW - Controlled separation
KW - Force amplification effect
KW - Interlocking structure
KW - Mechanical properties
KW - Programmable stiffness
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026666588
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111145
DO - 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111145
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105026666588
SN - 0020-7403
VL - 311
JO - International Journal of Mechanical Sciences
JF - International Journal of Mechanical Sciences
M1 - 111145
ER -