Influence of Material and Geometry on the Mechanical Behavior of Yoshimura and Kresling Origami Structures: An Experimental Analysis

Abstract The nature of adjustable stiffness and deploy-ability in origami-based mechanisms expands opportunities for novel uses in the engineering field. However, lack of studies discussing the influence of material and geometry on mechanical properties still presents room for further development. This study provides a practical guide for engineering applications by experimentally analyzing two common origami patterns: the Yoshimura and Kresling patterns. A range of specimens were fabricated, from traditional paper (90 and 150 gsm) to additively manufactured polymers (PLA and Nylon), with square, hexagonal, and octagonal cross-sections. Using a universal testing machine, we subjected Yoshimura patterns to uniaxial tension and Kresling patterns (square and hexagonal) to uniaxial compression to characterize their mechanical responses. The results showed that although material properties determine the balance between deployment range and structural integrity, geometric design determines the maximum kinematic range. A new and opposite stiffness trend was discovered: increasing the number of geometric edges strengthens the Yoshimura pattern but softens the Kresling pattern. These findings are synthesized into a performance map that serves as a practical design guide for tailoring the mechanical response of origami structures to specific applications, from flexible actuators to rigid, deployable supports.