Widstrand, Caleb2022-08-292022-08-292021-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/241279University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. 2021. Major: Civil Engineering. Advisor: Stefano Gonella. 1 computer file (PDF); 89 pages.Kerfing, also known as relief cutting, is a subtractive cutting process that enables planar structures to undergo dramatic deformation in the presence of static loads. Starting from flat and rigid sheets, different kinds of kerfing patterns can be used to induce a wide variety of unconventional free-form shapes, making the process especially appealing for architectural applications. Many kerfed structures feature repetitive units, making them inherently periodic structures. Observing this, we investigate the bandgap behavior of certain meandering-type kerf patterns via Bloch analysis, finite element simulations and laser vibrometry experiments. This investigation reveals the existence of phononic bandgaps in the band structure of the kerfed cells. Leveraging the extreme deformability of these kerfed structures, we test the robustness of the bandgap landscape against drastic changes in global shape and we consider the possibility to use the large deformability as a tuning mechanism. Additionally, we briefly explore opportunities for utilizing different densities of cuts in joint finite assemblies in order to leverage bandgap behavior of each cell type. Finally, we touch on some of the other possibilities of kerfed structures as a metamaterial platform for wave control as inspiration for future works.enbandgapkerfingmetamaterialmorphingperiodictunabilityThesis or Dissertation