Structural bionic design lacks mature and scientific theories, and the excellent structural characteristics of natural organisms sometimes cannot be transferred into engineering structures effectively. Aiming at overcoming the existing problems, this paper summarizes three related theories: similarity theory, fuzzy evaluation theory and optimization theory. Based on the related theories, a method of structural bionic design is introduced, which includes four steps: selecting the most useful structural characteristic of natural organism; analyzing the structural characteristic finally chosen for engineering problem; completing the structural bionic design for engineering structure; and verifying the structural bionic design. Similarity theory and fuzzy evaluation theory are employed to achieve Step 1. In Step 2 and Step 3, optimization theory is employed to analyze the parameters of structures. Together with the thoughts of simplification and grouping, optimization theory can reveal the relationship between organism structure and engineering structure, providing a way to structural bionic design. A general evaluation criterion is proposed in Step 4, which is feasible to evaluate the performance of different structures. Finally, based on the method, a structural bionic design of thin-walled cylindrical shell is introduced.
Based on the analyses on arch and peltate venation structures, the design of reinforcing frames was improved. First, distribution rules of the arch structure were summarized. According to the load condition and the structure of the frame, a mechanical model of arch structure was devel- oped, and two solutions for the model were analyzed and compared with each other. Through the a- nalysis, application rules of arch structure for improving the design were obtained. Then, distribu- tion rules of peltate venation structure were summarized. By using the same method, application rules of peltate venation structure for improving the design were also obtained. Finally, mechanical problem of the frame was described, and rib arrangement of the frame was redesigned. A parameter optimization for the widths of ribs in bionic arrangement was also carried out to accomplish the im- proving design. Comparison between bionic and conventional reinforcing frames shows that the weight is reduced by as much as 15.3%.
High-speed machine tool working table restrains the machining accuracy and machining efficiency,so lightweight design of the table is an important issue.In nature,leaf has developed a plate structure that maximizes the surface-to-volume ratio.It can be seen as a plate structure stiffened by veins.Compared with a high-speed machine tool working table,leaf veins play a role of supporting part which is similar to that of stiffening ribs,and they can provide some new design ideas for lightweight design of the table.In this paper,distribution rules of leaf veins were investigated,and a structural bionic design for the table was achieved based on regulation of leaf veins.First,statistical analysis on geometric structure of leaf veins was carried out,and four distribution rules were obtained.Then,relevant mechanical models were developed and analyzed in finite element software.Based on the results from mechanical analysis on those relevant models,the four distribution rules were translated into the design rules and a structural bionic design for the working table was achieved.Both simulation and experimental verifications were carried out,and results showed that the average displacement of the working table was reduced by about 33.9%.
