Lightweight Design of Mechanical Structures based on Structural Bionic Methodology

With increasing concern over the excessive energy consumption and environment pollution, structural bionics is a viable new tool of lightweight design by mechanical engineers. The structural solutions derived from nature can be successfully transferred into technical construction for maximum structural efficiency from minimal resources. The goal of the study is to develop a standard methodology for bionic mechanical structures with dead-load reduction and performance improvement. Similarity theory and fuzzy assessment method are deployed for selection of analogical samples and analysis based on structure, loading and function similarities. The type spectrum of lightweight design is established for selection convenience and principle extraction, vital to concept designs. Finite element method is used as an effective tool for mechanical performance simulation and comparison. The rapid prototyping, investment casting and Numerical Control (NC) machining are discussed for model fabrication. The static and dynamic test results indicate that the bionic models are lighter but stiffer than the original ones. So by mimicking biological structural principles, the structural bionic design offers a new solution for updating traditional design concepts and achieving maximum structural efficiency.