Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities
Porous materials and structures, such as subterranean fire ant nests, are abundant in nature. It is hypothesized that these structures likely have evolved biological adaptations that enhance their collapse resistance. This research aims to elucidate the collapse-resistant mechanisms of pore geometri...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/735 |
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| author | Tyler Felgenhauer Satchi Venkataraman Ethan Mullen |
| author_facet | Tyler Felgenhauer Satchi Venkataraman Ethan Mullen |
| author_sort | Tyler Felgenhauer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Porous materials and structures, such as subterranean fire ant nests, are abundant in nature. It is hypothesized that these structures likely have evolved biological adaptations that enhance their collapse resistance. This research aims to elucidate the collapse-resistant mechanisms of pore geometries in fire ant nests. Finite Element Models of ant nests in soil were generated using X-ray CT imaging of aluminum castings of ant nests. Representative volume elements of the ant nests, representing porous structures at various depths, were analyzed under confined compression. This work on investigating fire ant (sp. Solenopsis Invicta) nests found them to be hierarchical and graded at various depths that affect how they resist loads and collapse. The top portion acts as a protective shield by distributing damage and absorbing energy. In contrast, the lower chambers localize stress, contributing to damage tolerance. This research provides evidence to suggest that ant nests have developed properties that allow them to resist collapse. These findings could inform the design of lightweight and durable cellular structures in various engineering fields. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17e2c66e721e4530b9fda654e89fea6b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2313-7673 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomimetics |
| spelling | doaj-art-17e2c66e721e4530b9fda654e89fea6b2025-08-20T02:50:56ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732024-12-0191273510.3390/biomimetics9120735Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest CavitiesTyler Felgenhauer0Satchi Venkataraman1Ethan Mullen2Department of Aerospace Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92115, USADepartment of Aerospace Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92115, USADepartment of Computer Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92115, USAPorous materials and structures, such as subterranean fire ant nests, are abundant in nature. It is hypothesized that these structures likely have evolved biological adaptations that enhance their collapse resistance. This research aims to elucidate the collapse-resistant mechanisms of pore geometries in fire ant nests. Finite Element Models of ant nests in soil were generated using X-ray CT imaging of aluminum castings of ant nests. Representative volume elements of the ant nests, representing porous structures at various depths, were analyzed under confined compression. This work on investigating fire ant (sp. Solenopsis Invicta) nests found them to be hierarchical and graded at various depths that affect how they resist loads and collapse. The top portion acts as a protective shield by distributing damage and absorbing energy. In contrast, the lower chambers localize stress, contributing to damage tolerance. This research provides evidence to suggest that ant nests have developed properties that allow them to resist collapse. These findings could inform the design of lightweight and durable cellular structures in various engineering fields.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/735bio-inspired designfire ant nest cavitiesporous structurescollapse resistancehierarchical structures |
| spellingShingle | Tyler Felgenhauer Satchi Venkataraman Ethan Mullen Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities Biomimetics bio-inspired design fire ant nest cavities porous structures collapse resistance hierarchical structures |
| title | Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities |
| title_full | Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities |
| title_fullStr | Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities |
| title_short | Elucidating Collapse-Resistant Mechanisms of Pore Geometries in Fire Ant Nest Cavities |
| title_sort | elucidating collapse resistant mechanisms of pore geometries in fire ant nest cavities |
| topic | bio-inspired design fire ant nest cavities porous structures collapse resistance hierarchical structures |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/735 |
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