Abstract:Objective To enhance the mechanical properties of trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures and satisfy the design criteria for vertebral implant structures. Methods A chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure with an auxiliary support structure was constructed for optimal design. The finite element method was used to study the influence of the auxiliary support structure on the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure and the relationship between the support position and mechanical property parameters. Furthermore, the influence of the deformation mechanism of different structures on mechanical properties was discussed. Results All chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structures exhibited enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to trichiral honeycomb sandwich structures. The mechanical properties of the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure with the auxiliary support structure positioned perpendicular to the ligament were optimal, and this position represented the optimal support position. When the volume was used as a control variable, the compressive stiffness, stiffness-to-mass ratio, and transverse strain of the chiral-like honeycomb sandwich structure in the direction were significantly correlated with the change of the support position, and all of them were positively correlated. Conclusions As a novel chiral-like honeycomb structure, it provides a biomechanical basis for the optimal design and clinical application of honeycomb sandwich structures as vertebral implant structures.