Wave propagation analysis in 2D nonlinear hexagonal periodic networks based on second order gradient nonlinear constitutive models

We analyze the propagation of nonlinear waves in homogenized periodic nonlinear hexagonal networks, considering successively 1D and 2D situations. Wave analysis is performed on the basis of the construction of the effective strain energy density of periodic hexagonal lattices in the nonlinear regime. The obtained second order gradient nonlinear continuum has two propagation modes: an evanescent subsonic mode that disappears after a certain wavenumber and a supersonic mode characterized by an increase of the frequency with the wavenumber. For a weak nonlinearity, a supersonic mode occurs and the dispersion curves lie above the linear dispersion curve (vp =vp0). For a higher nonlinearity, the wave changes from a supersonic to an evanescent subsonic mode at s=0.7 and the dispersion curves drops below the linear case and vanish for certain values of the wavenumber. An important decrease in the frequency occurs for both subsonic and supersonic modes when the lattice becomes auxetic, and the longitudinal and shear modes become very close to each other. The influence of the lattice geometrical parameters of the lattice on the dispersion relations is analyzed.