In-Plane Crushing of Square Honeycomb Cores, Part II: Energy Absorption and Cushioning Optimization

Abstract

The finite element (FE) model designed in Part I is used to obtain the cushioning mechanical parameters of square honeycomb cores (SHCs) under in-plane dynamic loadings. A simplified energy absorption model is proposed to evaluate the energy absorption performance of SHCs, which shows that the optimal energy absorption per unit volume is related to dynamic plateau stress and dynamic densification strain that are affected by configuration parameters and impact velocity. The optimal energy absorption efficiency is the reciprocal of dynamic densification strain. The dynamic plateau stress has been discussed in Part I. For SHCs, the dynamic densification strain is independent of impact velocity and determined by configuration parameters. The empirical formulas of cushioning mechanical parameters are derived from physical analysis of FE results. Based on these empirical formulas, the practical cushioning optimization algorithm is presented.