Snap-back induced hysteresis in an elastic mechanical metamaterial under tension

Abstract

We combine experiment and finite element simulation and come up with a design for a mechanical metamaterial which demonstrates snap-back induced hysteresis and energy dissipation. The resultant is an elastic system that can be used reversibly for many times. The underlying mechanism of the existence of hysteresis and the physics of snap-back induced elastic instability is unveiled. Our results open an avenue for the design and implementation of recoverable energy dissipation devices by harnessing mechanical instability.