  Topologically interlocked material systems are two-dimensional assemblies of
unit elements from which no element can be removed from the assembly without
disassembly of the entire system. Consequently, such tile assemblies are able
to carry transverse mechanical loads. Archimedean and Laves tilings are
investigated as templates for the material system architecture. It is
demonstrated under point loads that the architecture significantly affects the
force-deflection response. Stiffness, load carrying capacity and toughness
varied by a factor of at least three from the system with the poorest
performance to the system with the best performance. Across all architectures
stiffness, strength and toughness are found to be strongly and linearly
correlated. Architecture characterizing parameters and their relationship to
the mechanical behavior are investigated. It is shown that the measure of the
smallest tile area in an assembly provides the best predictor of mechanical
behavior. With small tiles present in the assembly the contact force network
structure is well developed and the internal load path is channeled through
these stiffest components of the assembly.
