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We present here a design of the unit cell of a mechanical metamaterial based on the use of a tensegrity structural configuration with a metal rubber. Tensegrity combines the use of compression and tension-only elements, and allows the creation of structures with high rigidity per unit mass. Metal rubber is a multiscale porous metal material with high energy absorption and vibration damping capabilities under compressive load. The combination of the two structural and material concepts gives rise to a mechanical metamaterial with increased energy absorption and tuneable nonlinearity under quasi-static, vibration, and impact loading. We develop prototypes, models, and perform tests under static and dynamic loading conditions to assess the performance of this mechanical metamaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A tensegrity structure involves the presence of elements withstanding pure compression, and others under pure tension only. Metal rubber is introduced into a tensegrity prism strut to create a mechanical metamaterial with energy absorption and tuneable dynamic properties. In this work we describe the design and development of the meta -tensegrity structure with particular emphasis on the evaluation of parameters such as the structural size, the metal rubber stiffness, the initial internal force and the external compression load. Prototypes of tensegrity prisms with and without metal rubber inserts have been assembled and subjected to quasi-static loading. The model used to design the meta tensegrity prism has been then modified to take into account specific manufacturing and internal dissipation mechanisms typical of this configuration. The updated model provides a better comparison with the experimental results. Both the theoretical and experimental data show that the introduction of the metal rubber within the tensegrity configuration contributes to improve significantly the energy absorption, and to reduce the stiffness of the whole tensegrity structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]