Investigation of the shear characteristics of snakeskin-inspired interface using discrete-element method

Taking inspiration from the unique structure of snake scales, this research delves into understanding the intricacies of a snakeskin-inspired interface shearing process for geotechnical applications. This study investigates the performance of three snakeskin-inspired plates modelled after Heterodon nasicus, Leptophis ahaetulla and Cerastes cerastes with varying surface textures characterized by different length-to-height (L/H) ratios, along with a smooth reference plate for comparison. To evaluate the influence of scale size and shape, the discrete-element method was employed to simulate the interface shearing process under both caudal and cranial shearing directions. The results indicate that plates with moderate L/H ratios (e.g. L/H = 1.0–1.5) achieved up to 28% higher peak shear stress compared to the smooth surface, particularly under cranial shearing. Among the profile types, the Heterodon nasicus-inspired plate exhibited the highest shear resistance and volumetric dilation, with 15–20% greater dilation than the Cerastes cerastes-inspired plate. These findings provide preliminary insights into the potential benefits of integrating snakeskin-inspired surfaces into the development of engineered foundation and anchorage systems for geotechnical applications.