Abstract
The structural and mechanical behaviours of most origami-inspired or folded structures is strongly dependent upon the mechanical behaviours of their constituent crease lines. Characterisation of the rotational behaviours of the steel hinges is therefore a critical step in the analysis of origami-inspired steel structures. This paper will present a numerical modelling approach for simulating the rotational response of digitally-fabricated steel hinges, over a large rotation range from 0° up to 170°. Numerical response predictions are verified against published experimental results, over a range of sheet thicknesses and fold line parameters. Models are then used to give insight into observed thick-panel clash behaviours and fold-line localised strap mechanics. The developed numerical modelling procedure provides a convenient analysis method for rapid prediction of steel hinge behaviour.
