Engineering Origami: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Applications, Design Methods, and Tools

Abstract

Origami-based designs refer to the application of the ancient art of origami to solve engineering problems of different nature. Despite being implemented at dimensions that range from the nano to the meter scale, origami-based designs are always defined by the laws that govern their geometrical properties at any scale. It is thus not surprising to notice that the study of their applications has become of cross-disciplinary interest. This article aims to review recent origami-based applications in engineering, design methods and tools, with a focus on research outcomes from 2015 to 2020. First, an introduction to origami history, mathematical background and terminology is given. Origami-based applications in engineering are reviewed largely in the following fields: biomedical engineering, architecture, robotics, space structures, biomimetic engineering, fold-cores, and metamaterials. Second, design methods, design tools, and related manufacturing constraints are discussed. Finally, the article concludes with open questions and future challenges.

Applications of Energy-Based Evaluation Method of Element Importance to Grid Structures

“…The safety of the structure has drawn paramount attention. The study of structural progressive collapse resistance has become a hot topic in research worldwide [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Robustness Analysis and Important Element Evaluation Method of Truss Structures

“…The research on the progressive collapse resistance of structures has been a hot topic worldwide for many years due to the partial or total collapse of iconic and public buildings [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. There are numerous studies about the progressive collapse behavior of reinforced concrete [9][10][11][12][13] and steel frame structures [14][15][16][17].…”

Wrapping Deployment Simulation Analysis of Leaf-Inspired Membrane Structures

“…For example, the deployment mechanisms of plant leaves from their early closed shape to their fully opened one can be ideally explained by origami models. Origami has been used in many fields [10][11][12]. Using this strategy, Focatiis and Guest [13] investigated a small strain mechanism of folding patterns through the inspiration of deploying tree leaves to produce polygonal foldable membranes as deployable structures.…”