A theoretical model has been developed for predicting the elastic cons
tants of honeycombs based on the deformation of the honeycomb cells by
flexure, stretching and hinging. This is an extension of earlier work
based on flexure alone. The model has been used to derive expressions
for the tensile moduli, shear moduli and Poisson's ratios. Examples a
re given of structures with a negative Poisson's ratio. It is shown ho
w the properties can be tailored by varying the relative magnitudes of
the force constants for the different deformation mechanisms. Off-axi
s elastic constants are also calculated and it is shown how the moduli
and Poisson's ratios vary with applied loading direction. Depending o
n the geometry of the honeycomb the properties may be isotropic (for r
egular hexagons) or extremely anisotropic. Again, the degree of anisot
ropy is also affected by the relative magnitude of the force constants
for the three deformation mechanisms. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.