Design, fabrication and characterisation of topological interlocking structures utilising additive manufacturing

This thesis explores a particular class of architectured hybrid materials based on the concept of topological interlocking. In this approach, a structural component is tessellated in identical, discrete elements, which are held in place owing to their specially designed geometry and arrangement. This distinct form of segmentation allows interlocking to occur in three dimensions, providing the structure with an ability to retain its shape, even if some components are fully displaced. In this work, a range of mechanical properties of topologically interlocked assemblies are characterised to provide a greater understanding of the complex deformation mechanisms of these new structures.