How to apply symmetry to honeycomb core unit cells

[FEAnalyst]

@frank

As the honeycomb structure would be a periodic (infinite) network, how would I go ahead and set the symmetry boundary conditions in x and y?

To model it properly, you may need periodic boundary conditions like for RVE. Those can be implemented with *EQUATION in CalculiX. There’s a Python script for a regular brick-shaped RVE here: CalculiX-Examples/Scripts/periodic.py at master · calculix/CalculiX-Examples · GitHub

Good explanation based on Abaqus can be found here: https://imechanica.org/files/pbc.pdf

Otherwise, you would have to treat it as independent cell or analyze the whole structure or its segment using shell elements.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/1/52

Check those papers too, they cover single cell models:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282966428_On_the_evaluation_of_mechanical_properties_of_honeycombs_by_using_finite_element_analyses

Static and Fatigue Behaviour of Hexagonal Honeycomb Cores under In-plane...