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Twin "spherical" shell crushing energy absorber

This paper develops a novel twin-spherical microstructure, where the shape and size were represented with two key geometric parameters (left). 3D finite element models were then constructed to demonstrate via simulation the cellular deformation modes (right) with different configurations along with the quantitative responses in terms of the energy absorption and pressure transfer. An optimization was then performed to find the best design at single or multiple layers.

From:
Feng Zhu (1), Liqiang Dong (1,2), Honglei Ma (1,3), Cliff C. Chou (1) and King H. Yang (1)
(1) Bioengineering Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
(2) The State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha, China
(3) Laboratory of Advanced Materials Behavior Characteristics, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China

“Parameterized optimal design of a novel cellular energy absorber”, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Vol. 86, pp 60-68, September 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2013.09.021

ABSTRACT: As an advanced lightweight porous medium, SKYDEX material has been applied as the energy absorbing structures for personnel protection. Its hourglass-like microstructures made of thermoplastic can dissipate kinetic energy and reduce pressure transfer during crushing. Based on the SKYDEX® cell, this paper develops a novel twin-spherical microstructure, where the shape and size were represented with two key geometric parameters. 3D finite element models were then constructed to demonstrate the cellular deformation modes with different configurations along with the quantitative responses in terms of the energy absorption and pressure transfer. An optimization was performed to find the best design. Using this optimal configuration thus obtained, models with multilayers were built, and each layer was either uniformed or graded in density. Their responses under low and high speed compressive loadings were compared, and the results showed that the direction and degree of the density gradient as well as impact velocity are important parameters affecting the energy absorbing capability.

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