Modeling and Simulating Origami Structures using Bilinear Solid-Shell Element

TL;DR

This paper introduces a computational framework using bilinear solid-shell elements and director vectors to accurately model and simulate origami structures, including crease folding, with improved numerical stability.

Contribution

The novel framework combines bilinear solid-shell elements with an assumed natural strain method to effectively simulate origami folding and mitigate locking issues.

Findings

Accurate simulation of both straight and curved creases.

Effective mitigation of locking issues in solid-shell elements.

Validated through quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Abstract

We propose a novel computational framework for modeling and simulating origami structures. In this framework, bilinear solid-shell elements are employed to model the origami panels while crease folding is considered through the angle between the director vectors of the adjacent panels. The director vector is the vector normal to the mid-surface before displacement/deformation comes in. To mitigate locking issues in the solid-shell element, we introduce the assumed natural strain method. To validate the effectiveness of our framework, we conduct origami simulations involving both straight- and curved-creases. The accuracy and efficacy of the framework are demonstrated through quantitative and qualitative analyses.