Effect of cell geometry on the energy-absorbing capacity of grid-domed textile composites

Abstract

In our previous studies a new type of grid-domed textile composite with high specific energy-absorbing capacity was developed. Each cell of the grid-domed textile composites consists of a hemispherical shell connected to a truncated conical wall (Configuration 1). In the present paper, a new cell configuration is examined, whose cell is a truncated conical shell only (Configuration 2). The grid-domed textile composite with Configuration 2 displays a higher energy-absorbing capacity, more stable deformation mode, lower peak force and almost constant magnitude of force during its large deformation process. The factors having an influence on the energy-absorbing capacity, which are investigated, include the cell height, the diameter ratio of cell-top to cell-bottom, conical wall area, cell density and the resin added-on percentage. The effective parameters to control the energy-absorbing capacity of the grid-domed textile composites are the semi-apical angle and the cell wall area. Increasing the cell density leads to the enhancement of the energy-absorbing capacity.