Energy absorption characteristics of bio-inspired hierarchical multi-cell square tubes under axial crushing. (1st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ha, Ngoc San; Pham, Thong M.; Hao, Hong; Lu, Guoxing
• Is Part Of: International journal of mechanical sciences. Volume 201(2022)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-01
• Subjects: Bio-inspired structures -- Hierarchical structures -- Fractal structures -- Square tube -- Multi-cell structures -- Energy absorption; Mechanical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie mécanique -- Périodiques; Mechanical engineering; Maschinenbau; Mechanik; Zeitschrift; Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2021.106464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7403

Abstract

Highlights: Novel bio-inspired hierarchical multi-cell square (BHMS) tubes were proposed. The SEA of the BHMS tube was improved compared to that of the conventional tubes. The deformation mode for the BHMS tubes was classified. A theoretical model for the mean crushing force of the BHMS tubes was developed. An imperfection analysis was carried out using the linear and post-buckling methods. Abstract: In this study, the dynamic crushing behaviour and energy absorption characteristics of a novel bio-inspired hierarchical multi-cell square (BHMS) tubes were numerically and theoretically investigated. The proposed structures were constructed mimicking the gradient distribution of cell sizes in the biological structures such as bone and bamboo . A series of compression tests were numerically carried out for the BHMS structures with different hierarchical orders and mass of the structures. The results indicated that the specific energy absorption ( SEA ) of the 3 rd order BHMS tube is 178.4% higher than that of the 0 th order BHMS tube. Comparing with the conventional square and multi-cell square tube, the maximum increment of the SEA of the BHMS tube reaches up to 173.7% and 128.1%, respectively. Moreover, the undulation of the load-carrying capacity ( ULC ) used for evaluating the stability of the BHMS tubes under dynamic crushing was also considered. The ULC of the 3 rd order BHMS tube reduces up to 88.8% and 85.7% compared to the square and multi-cell tubes. It indicates that the BHMS tube has a larger potential to improve energy absorption than the square tube and conventional multi-cell square tube. Finally, a theoretical study for the mean crushing force ( MCF ) was developed for the proposed tubes, which was in good agreement with the numerical results. This study provides an effective guide for the design of a multi-cell energy absorber with excellent energy absorption efficiency. Graphic abstract: Image, graphical abstract