Auxetic structures, a subgroup of adaptively manufactured metamaterials, exhibit seemingly counterintuitive mechanical properties, most notably their negative structural Poisson’s ratio. In addition, components constructed with an auxetic mesostructure show improved acoustic band gaps —frequency ranges where wave propagation is effectively suppressed—, high resistance to penetration, energy absorption and dissipation. These unique characteristics enable the intentional control of structural behavior independent of material properties.

This study investigates how targeted geometric optimization of various auxetic mesostructures can enhance macroscopic behavior under dynamic loads. Therefore, a methodological workflow is proposed that optimizes the mechanical behavior solely through modifications in geometry and shape, while also determining the optimal mesostructure for the examined case. A fundamental understanding of the dynamic response of auxetic structures is essential for this purpose. Therefore, a parametric study is conducted to analyze how the geometric parameters of the individual unit cells affect the macroscopic lattice. Subsequently, parameter optimization is conducted, followed by further refinement of the shape through the advancement of an already established shape optimization method. This approach enables the identification of the optimal geometrical parameters of the auxetic mesostructure while simultaneously adapting its shape in different regions of the macrostructure. Therefore, this contribution aims to achieve the best possible parameter configuration for specific load cases and design objectives while concurrently enabling a comprehensive understanding of the optimization algorithm behavior as a result of the parametric study. The same procedure is applied to the well-known honeycomb structure, highlighting the influence of the auxetic effect. The optimized structures are then compared to identify the configuration with the most advantageous properties.

This study provides new insights into the implementation of optimized auxetic mesostructures and their potential for improvement, revealing their suitability for large-scale integration of auxetic metamaterials into aerospace applications. The results demonstrate that auxetic structures represent a promising alternative to conventional designs in various engineering applications.