Session: 13-13-01: Functional Origami and Kirigami-inspired Structures and Materials

Paper Number: 172802

A Shell-Based Computational Framework for Nonlinear Simulation of Origami-Inspired Structures 

Origami-inspired structures are emerging as a transformative approach in engineering design, offering deployability, reconfigurability, and tunable mechanical properties. These features make them highly suitable for applications ranging from aerospace deployables to biomedical devices and metamaterials. Despite this potential, accurately simulating their structural response remains a significant challenge. While full solid finite element simulations are possible, modeling the hinges of origami structures is nontrivial. Additionally, the computational cost of these models is high due to the need for fine meshes to capture sharp folds, large displacements, and the coupling between folding and panel bending. On the other hand, existing simplified computational approaches often neglect critical nonlinear behaviors such as local instabilities (e.g., panel buckling), limiting their predictive capabilities for real-world scenarios. This research introduces a novel shell-and-hinge modeling framework that addresses these limitations by combining geometrically nonlinear shell elements with discrete rotational hinges, allowing for comprehensive simulation of origami mechanics including folding, buckling, and post-buckling behavior.

The core contribution of this work lies in the integration of MITC (Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components) shell elements with a rotational hinge model inspired by previous bar-and-hinge frameworks. By bridging this gap, the proposed framework offers a versatile simulation approach capable of capturing panel deformation, folding behavior and, structural instabilities. This enables the study of more complex origami patterns, in which those effects are expected.

This work employs the MITC shell element to model panel deformations under large displacements. This element is specifically chosen for its robustness in bending- and membrane-dominated regimes and its ability to handle common numerical issues (shear locking and membrane locking). To simulate the origami folding behavior, rotational springs are introduced between neighboring shell elements along crease lines. These springs mimic the mechanical behavior of real folds by providing resistance to rotation, allowing the model to reproduce the correct folding kinematics and stiffness without explicitly modeling the crease as an extra geometric feature. The combined system captures the interaction between fold-induced motion and shell deformation, providing a more accurate reflection of physical origami systems.

Validation of the framework is performed through a series of numerical experiments. A single fold model is analyzed to validate the implementation of hinge deformation. Subsequently, the system is subjected to axial compression to study buckling behavior. The results demonstrate the model's ability to simulate large deformations and panel instabilities. The preliminary findings suggest that the shell-and-hinge framework effectively addresses key limitations of current modeling approaches.

This work advances the computational modeling of origami-inspired structures by presenting a robust simulation strategy that captures the effects of bending, folding and buckling, enabling designers to simulate origami structures with accuracy. It paves the way for more accurate and reliable analysis tools, facilitating the design of next-generation origami systems in various engineering applications.

Presenting Author: David Arturo Rodriguez Herrera Rice University

Presenting Author Biography: Arturo Rodriguez is a Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University in Dr. Larissa Novelino research lab. His research focuses on nonlinear finite element analysis, with an emphasis on computational modeling of origami-inspired structures, and the integration of material characterization into simulation frameworks. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), where he developed a strong foundation in structural mechanics and numerical methods. His academic interests lie at the intersection of geometry, mechanics, and materials, with the goal of advancing simulation tools for complex, and deployable structures.

Authors:

David Arturo Rodriguez Herrera Rice University
Larissa Novelino Rice University