This thesis examines the mechanical properties of an origami inspired structure and its equivalent cube counterpart to determine if this origami configuration is an effective load bearing and energy absorption structure. To test this, a folded paper model was created for visual realization and then 3D printed models were created to undergo compression testing using the Instron 4411. The data from testing was used to create stress-strain curves for each sample, which were then used to determine the maximum stress and toughness of each structure. The performance of these structures was also compared to other known material performance. The origami structure was found to outperform the equivalent cube in both maximum stress it could withstand before failure and toughness. These results are grounds for further research to be done to determine the validity of origami structures as viable alternatives to current material configurations.

This research project will test the structural properties of a 3D printed origami inspired structure and compare them with a standard honeycomb structure. The models have equal face areas, model heights, and overall volume but wall thicknesses will be different. Stress-deformation curves were developed from static loading testing. The area under these curves was used to calculate the toughness of the structures. These curves were analyzed to see which structures take more load and which deform more before fracture. Furthermore, graphs of the Stress-Strain plots were produced. Using 3-D printed parts in tough resin printed with a Stereolithography (SLA) printer, the origami inspired structure withstood a larger load, produced a larger toughness and deformed more before failure than the equivalent honeycomb structure.

The purpose of this project focuses on analyzing how a typically brittle material, such as PLA, can be manipulated to become deformable, through the development of an origami structure, in this case—the Yoshimuri pattern. The experimental methodology focused on creating a base Solidworks model, with varying hinge depths, and 3D printing these various models. A cylindrical shell was also developed with comparable dimensions to the Yoshimuri dimensions. These samples were then tested through compression testing, with the load-displacement, and thus the stress-strain curves are analyzed. From the results, it was found that generally, the Yoshimuri samples had a higher level of deformation compared to the cylindrical shell. Moreover, the cylindrical shell had a higher stiffness ratio, while the Yoshimuri patterns had strain rates as high as 16%. From this data, it can be concluded that by changing how the structure is created through origami patterns, it is possible to shift the characteristics of a structure even if the material properties are initially quite brittle.