Lattice Structures Built with Different Polygon Hollow Shapes: A Review on Their Analytical Modelling and Engineering Applications

Abstract

Lattice structures are useful in the aerospace, automotive, infrastructural, and medical fieldsdue to the way they incorporate a lightweight design and good mechanical properties, because oftheir hollow shapes. This review paper documents work carried out using various analytical modelsfor lattice structures designed with different polygon hollow shapes, for loading in the in-plane andout-of-plane directions, in order to advise their ranking in terms of mechanical behaviour. A primeron lattice structures and polygon hollow shapes is first provided. This is followed by a review ofrelevant analytical models applied to lattice structures with various polygon hollow shapes thatare available in the literature, and then a ranking of the polygon hollow structures in terms of theirmechanical properties is performed. Following on from this, a review of the mechanical properties ofpolygon hollow structures is given. Engineering applications of different polygon hollow structuresare then identified. A next-generation structural optimisation and design guide is then highlighted,and some of the primary prospective areas to be focused on when designing lattice parts are pointedout. The last section highlights current challenges, as well as recommendations for extending the useof design for the additive manufacturing of lattice parts