Tunable bandgaps in a deployable metamaterial

In addition, by expanding out the characteristic equation of transfer matrix for the straight structure, we prove that the upper band edge of the nth bandgap will always equal the nth simply supported natural frequency of the constituent beam. Further, we found that the ratio (EIkt) is a pertinent parameter affecting the bandwidth of bandgaps. For low values of the ratio, effectively, no bandgap exists. For higher values of the ratio (EIkt), we obtain a relatively large bandgap over which no waves propagate. This can have ramifications for the design of foldable structures. As an alternative to impedance-based structural health monitoring, these insights can aid in health monitoring of deployable structures by tracking the bandwidth of bandgaps which can provide clues about the mechanical parameters of the structure.