Increase In Energy Absorption Research Articles

Energy Absorption in a Rotating Rigid Honeycomb Based on Reinforced Ribbed Plates

This article proposes a rotationally reinforced ribbed honeycomb structure by incorporating struts into the rotationally rigid honeycomb to enhance its stiffness. Finite element models of the honeycomb are developed using Abaqus/Explicit and validated through quasistatic experiments for accuracy. Based on the models, a series of studies on the honeycomb's structural behavior are conducted. Initially, the mechanical properties of the honeycomb under varying loading conditions and rib angles are analyzed. The results indicate that the RSH‐45 configuration exhibits the most favorable mechanical properties under both X‐direction and Y‐direction loading conditions. Specifically, under impact in the X‐direction, the RSH‐45 and RSH‐60 configurations demonstrate increases in energy absorption of 114.64% and 96.9%, respectively, compared to the RSH‐90 configuration. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of the RSH at different impact velocities are examined. The negative Poisson's effect of the RSH is most pronounced at low‐velocity, with the deformation modes changing as velocity increases. Under medium‐velocity impacts, RSH‐45 and RSH‐60 configurations exhibit a significant negative Poisson's ratio effect, while RSH‐75 and RSH‐90 configurations display a positive effect. In summary, reinforcing ribs produces a significant negative Poisson's ratio effect only at specific angles.

Optimization of auxetic tubular structures with dragonfly-wing-shape cells through advanced multiobjective optimization techniques

Abstract Interest in auxetic structures has surged due to their unique mechanical behavior, including a negative Poisson’s ratio and exceptional energy absorption capabilities. This study aims to enhance the mechanical properties of tubular structures using a dragonfly-shaped auxetic unit cell. An optimization framework is implemented to simultaneously minimize three critical structural objectives: Poisson’s ratio, mass, and stress. Numerical simulations facilitate metamodeling via the response surface method, creating surrogate models that accurately represent each response variable. A metaheuristic optimization technique, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II), is then employed to optimize these responses for compression performance. Experimental validation supports the numerical findings, with two optimized designs proposed. The first design (TOPSIS 1) shows reductions in Poisson’s ratio by up to 3% and stress by 45%, while the second design (TOPSIS 2) demonstrates a stress reduction of 498%. Additionally, experimental validation reveals significant improvements in energy absorption capabilities, with TOPSIS 1 and TOPSIS 2 increasing energy absorption by 58% and 545%, respectively, compared to the baseline. The integration of Industry 4.0 concepts, such as additive manufacturing and numerical simulation, proves essential in achieving efficient and effective outcomes, highlighting the importance of advanced manufacturing techniques in enhancing structural design paradigms.

Dynamic splitting tensile properties of high-strength ultrahigh-toughness cementitious composites (HS-UHTCCs)

In this study, the splitting tests were conducted to examine the effect of strain rate on the splitting tensile performance of high-strength ultrahigh-toughness cementitious composites (HS-UHTCCs). Hydraulic machine and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) were used to investigate the tensile properties of HS-UHTCCs. The strain rates ranged from 10-6 to 10-3 s−1 for hydraulic machine experiments and from 5 to 15 s−1 for SHPB tests, respectively. The splitting tensile strength, tensile stress-strain curves, dynamic increase factor (DIF) and energy absorption ability of HS-UHTCCs were analyzed. The new DIF models proposed for HS-UHTCCs fit well with the experimental data. In addition, the failure modes of specimens and fibers were investigated. The splitting tensile strain was obtained from digital image correlation (DIC) tests. The results indicate that the strain rate has a significant effect on the splitting tensile strength and energy absorption ability of HS-UHTCCs. On the contrary, the average splitting tensile strain showed a decreasing trend with the increase of strain rate. Besides, the DIF model of HS-UHTCCs was proposed with experimental data. The failure modes of specimens changed at high strain rates, transitioning from remaining intact to completely splitting into half. Two failure patterns of polyethylene (PE) fibers included pull-out failure and rupture were observed, while steel fibers experienced pull-out failure.

Mechanical response of glass/kevlar hybrid composite jackets for steel containers carrying hazardous materials to enhance safety

Fiber reinforced (FRP) composite materials have high strength-to-weight ratios and excellent corrosion resistance. Cost reduction manufacturing through methods like Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is impressive. This paper deals with composite materials reinforcement of railway tank cars via VARTM to enhance safety, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce adverse environmental impact during derailments aligning with industry goals for safer, sustainable solutions in relation to new railway tank car safety standards. This study investigates different performance aspects of various fiber/fabric configurations (glass, aramid) used as reinforcement with vinyl ester or epoxy. Additionally, core materials like polyurethane and polypropylene have been researched to enhance energy absorption. Effects of through-thickness stitching on mechanical integrity are evaluated for improved puncture resistance. Testing revealed that Kevlar fibers increased energy absorption by increasing strain to failure. Epoxy resin lowered maximum tensile strength by 22% compared to vinyl ester and increased the total energy absorption by 8%. Through-thickness stitching (z-direction) increased tensile strength by 13% and improved interlaminar shear strength.

Enhancing adhesive bonding and mechanical properties of composite sandwich panels through atmospheric plasma activation

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of atmospheric plasma activation (APA) treatment on the thermomechanical performance of adhesively bonded skins of composite sandwich panels. The investigations show that APA treatment enhances surface wettability through the water contact angle measurements, and adhesion between the skin and honeycomb core of the panels under mechanical tests. Specifically, APA treatment results in an 11% increase in flatwise tensile strength and a 12% enhancement in the impact strength of the sandwich laminates. Flatwise tensile tests reveal superior tensile strength and toughness in APA‐treated specimens, with fracture patterns suggesting more robust adhesion. Charpy impact test results confirm increased energy absorption, reflecting better mechanical resilience. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) techniques are utilized to validate these findings. Overall, APA treatment proves to be an effective technique for enhancing the performance of composite sandwich panels, offering improved adhesion, strength, and impact resistance. This approach holds significant promise for advancing high‐performance composite materials in various engineering applications.Highlights APA treatment enhances wettability and adhesion in sandwich panels. Improved adhesive distribution between skin‐core after sandwich manufacturing. 11% increase in tensile strength and 12% in impact strength with APA. Better toughness and energy absorption via SEM and DMA support in APA.

Innovative auxetic tubular reinforced metamaterial: Design and mechanical performance

In this study, we present the design, fabrication, and investigation of an innovative auxetic tubular reinforced (ATR) metamaterial. The mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of ATR metamaterials were comprehensively analyzed under quasi-static compression in both axial and radial directions. We conducted a comparative analysis between the ATR metamaterials and the original auxetic tubular (AT) metamaterials, employing both experimental and finite element methods. The findings indicate that the ATR structure surpasses the original AT structure in terms of mechanical properties during quasi-static compression in both directional orientations. Subsequently, a meticulous parametric analysis of the rotation angle of the reinforced straight ribs, a pivotal structural parameter, was conducted. The outcomes revealed that the rotation angle of the reinforced straight ribs, serving as a geometric parameter, can effectively influence the Poisson's ratio of the ATR structure. As the rotation angle of the reinforced straight rib increases, the ATR structure demonstrates superior energy absorption. The optimized ATR structure, in comparison to the original AT structure, showcases notable enhancements, exhibiting a 215 % improvement in energy absorption (EA), a 62 % increase in specific energy absorption (SEA), and a 46 % rise in energy absorption efficiency (EAE) under axial quasi-static compression. Moreover, under radial quasi-static compression, the optimized ATR structure displays a remarkable improvement, featuring a 514 % increase in EA, a 230 % rise in SEA, and a 52 % enhancement in EAE.

Key effects on the structural behavior of fiber-reinforced lightweight concrete-ribbed slabs: A review

Abstract A concrete slab is one of the chief structural members in buildings, considered the most prominent member consuming concrete. Structural engineers are challenged to work on the new trend introduced using different slabs. One-way ribbed slabs are commonly used in construction due to their efficiency in spanning long distances while maintaining a low overall depth and giving the least possible number of columns. The main limitation of slab design in the construction of a reinforced concrete structure is the span between columns; a greater span between columns necessitates more supported beams or increased slab thickness; these requirements lead to an increase in the structure weight due to other concrete and steel which make the structure more costly. On the other hand, any increase in the structure’s self-weight limits the horizontal slab’s span, increases the structure’s stress, and raises the inertia forces that must be resisted. Lightweight aggregate concrete has been effectively utilized for structural applications for a long time. The density of lightweight concrete (LWC) is sometimes more essential than its strength in structural applications. The dead load is reduced for structural design and foundations when the density is lower for the same strength level. Reinforced concrete ribbed slabs have become increasingly popular in industry construction as an alternative to solid slabs in building structures. The incorporation of steel fibers facilitates flexural softening, which takes longer than sudden brittle failure, indicating its ability to increase energy absorption and improve crack behavior. Designing structures requires materials with higher strength-to-weight ratios. Ribs and LWCs are two leading sustainable assets. The world is moving toward sustainability by reducing the amount of concrete used and the overall weight of the unit. Studies have shown that the drop in compressive strength was about 4.85–65.55%. The structural performance of lightweight fiber-reinforced concrete slabs is influenced by the concrete mix ratio, fiber type and content, reinforcement detail, and rib geometry. The study provides valuable insights into the properties and performance of key effects on the structural behavior of fiber-reinforced LWC-ribbed slabs. It provides recommendations for future research and advancement of sustainable building methods.

Enhanced energy absorption and mechanical properties of porous Ti-6Al-4 V alloys with gradient disordered cells fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production of porous metals, greatly improving control over their structural properties and offering unprecedented advantages in lightweight applications and energy absorption. Balancing energy absorption and compressive strength in ordered and disordered porous structures is challenging due to shear deformation and deformation mechanisms. This study investigates the mechanical and energy absorption properties of porous Ti-6Al-4 V alloys with gradient disordered cells fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The compressive response of samples with different regularities (R) and varying layers of disordered cells was analyzed through quasi-static compression experiments and finite element simulations. The results indicate that introducing a disordered cell gradient significantly enhances energy absorption by preventing the formation of shear bands observed in porous structures with ordered cell structures. When the regularity (R) is 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 with one or two layers of disordered cells, mechanical properties are optimized and characterized by a balance between compressive strength and energy absorption. It is significant that, while preserving or enhancing compressive strength, the energy absorption of the material can be augmented substantially. Specifically, porous Ti-6Al-4 V (R = 0.8, L4) achieves an energy absorption increase of up to 154.9kJ/m³, which represents a dramatic enhancement of approximately 245.0 % over the regular porous structure (R = 0 or L0), which absorbs only 44.9 kJ/m³. Compared to ordered and disordered porous structures, the disordered cell gradient demonstrates significant potential in tuning the mechanical properties of porous metals, thereby advancing their applications in aerospace, biomedical, and protective fields.

Out-of-plane impact characteristics of missing rib-plate type anti-tri-chiral honeycomb

Chiral honeycomb structures, renowned for their superior mechanical properties, find extensive application in passive safety protection and beyond. However, existing research predominantly centers on chiral honeycomb structures, neglecting discussions on the energy absorption capabilities of anti-chiral honeycomb structures subjected to out-of-plane impacts. In view of this, an innovative design method is proposed in this paper to construct a series of anti-tri-chiral honeycomb structures (MATCH-θ) with missing rib-plate and excellent crashworthiness by skillfully designing and replacing the nodal elements of the anti-tri-chiral structures. Subsequently, the effects of the constitutive angle θ and the wall thickness t of the cellular elements were investigated using a validated finite element model, revealing the energy absorption mechanism of MATCH-θ. It is shown that this type of structure has better crashworthiness performance compared to the conventional anti-tri-chiral honeycomb structure ATCH-90°. In particular, the MATCH-110° structure with t = 0.1 mm showed a 36% increase in specific energy absorption, a 36% increase in mean crush force, and a 35% increase in crush force efficiency compared to the conventional anti-tri-chiral honeycomb structure ATCH-90° with the same mass. The completion of this study provides valuable insights into the design and optimization of future honeycomb structures for crashworthiness.

Enhanced Crashworthiness Parameters of Nested Thin-Walled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer and Al Structures: Effect of Using Expanded Polypropylene Foam

The in-plane loading conditions of carbon fiber/epoxy composite (CFRP) and aluminum nested-tube-reinforced expanded polypropylene (EPP) blocks were empirically examined. This study used crashworthiness metrics to estimate the best design configuration under quasi-static loading rates. The experimental phase began with lateral loading testing of single and nested aluminum and CFRP specimen. In-plane crushing experiments were performed on EPP foam blocks reinforced with nested tubes. Both single and nested aluminum tubes had comparable force–response curves and maintained their load-bearing capacity throughout testing. Despite a load-carrying capacity drop above a particular displacement threshold, the CFRP specimens had superior specific energy absorption (SEA) values due to their lightweight nature. The triple-tube nested specimens with two smaller tubes exhibited the best SEA results (1.72 and 1.88 J/g, respectively, for the aluminum and CFRP nested samples). During concurrent tube deformation, the nested samples showed a synergistic connection that increased energy absorption, especially in the EPP foam blocks with reinforced tubes. The study also examined the effects of building nested specimens with aluminum exterior tubes and CFRP inner tubes, and vice versa. This method showed that CFRP tubes within aluminum outer tubes lowered specimen weight (from 93.1 g to 67.7 g) and energy absorption (from 160.2 J to 153.3 J). However, the weight reduction outweighed the energy absorption, increasing SEA values for certain composite material configurations (from 1.72 J/g to 2.26 J/g).

Enhancement of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminium alloy AA2024 By adding TiO2 Nanoparticles

Modern engineering applications, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries, require essential and appealing properties such as lightweight with high strength and resistance. The key objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the microstructure, impact strength, hardness and wear resistance of the stir cast aluminum alloy AA2024, An aluminium alloy was reinforced with different mass fractions (0 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 %) of titanium dioxide nanoparticles by stir casting followed by solution annealing at 500°C for 3 h, quenching in water and aging at 175°C for 3 h. Results showed that regular morphology and fine grain size of primary AA2024 particles are achieved after the addition of 2.5 wt.% TiO2 compared to the sample without the addition of nanoparticles composite. In addition, it was found that adding nanoparticles increased energy absorption, and this effect is improved by increasing impact strength by adding nanoparticles, the impact strength increased from 5 j/m2 to 7 j/m2 at 5%. At the same time, the increase of nanoparticles effect decreases the mass losses (increase in wear resistance). With a weight fraction of 5 wt.% TiO2, the alloy exhibits the highest value of hardness.

A comprehensive experimental study of eco-friendly hybrid polymer composites using pistachio shell powder and Aquilaria agallocha Roxb

This study investigates the effects of incorporating pistachio shell powder and a mixture of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb (AAR) resin with epoxy on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of an epoxy composite. Filler loadings ranged from 10 to 35% by volume, in 5% increments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a uniform distribution of the hybrid polymer materials, particularly at 30% natural resin content, enhancing the load-bearing capacity of the composites. The addition of pistachio shell powder and AAR resin significantly improved the flexural modulus and strength of the composites. At a filler volume of 35%, the hybrid polymer exhibited a maximum impact resistance of 2,718 J/m2, demonstrating increased energy absorption. Moreover, the hybrid system enhanced the damping factor by up to 30%, suggesting superior dynamic mechanical performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the hybrid composites displayed better thermal stability compared to pure epoxy resin. These findings suggest that the combination of pistachio shell powder and AAR natural resin offers a sustainable approach to reinforcing epoxy-based composites, providing improved mechanical and thermal performance for potential industrial applications.

Finite element analysis on the compression and crush responses of laminates with unidirectionally arrayed chopped strand in 0° plies

AbstractThe outstanding mechanical performance and flowability of unidirectionally arrayed chopped strands laminates (UACS) give them an advantage in the manufacture of engineering structures with complex geometries. In this research, the mechanical response of UACS laminates with bi‐angled slits and staggered slits under quasi‐static compression and progressive crushing loads is numerically analyzed for the first time. The aim is to clarify the damage mechanism of UACS laminates under compressive and crushing load. Simulation results reveal that the compressive strength of [90/0]4s UACS laminates with bi‐angled slits is 635.9 MPa, with an error of 4.2% compared to experimental data. For the stacking sequence of [0/90]4s, the strength is measured as 581.96 MPa with a 5% error. Proposed finite element model could accurately describe the mechanical properties of UACS laminates. Additionally, the progressive crushing response is in good agreement with the experimental data, the error in energy absorption for [90/0]4s UACS laminates with bi‐angled slits is noted at 7% compared to experimental values. It has been demonstrated that bi‐angled slits significantly contribute in restraining the propagation of delamination and improving the amount of energy absorption of UACS laminates.Highlights The mechanical response of UACS laminates under compressive and progressive crushing load was numerically analyzed. The compressive damage propagation of UACS laminates with different slit patterns in 0° layer was demonstrated. The effect of different slit patterns on inhibiting delamination propagation and increasing energy absorption of UACS laminates under progressive crushing load was numerically analyzed.

Repairability of rubber-backed vitrimer composites under variations of impact damage

This study evaluates the effectiveness of rapid heat pressing repair on composites made of vitrimer matrix, a reshapable and recyclable polymer, subjected to varying degrees of impact damage. Two types of composites were fabricated for impact testing: randomly oriented glass fiber reinforced vitrimers (GFRV) and woven carbon fiber reinforced vitrimers (CFRV). Izod pendulum impact tests were conducted on samples along both the thickness and width. Impacts with varying energy levels were applied to induce different degrees of damage, allowing for the assessment of impact strength degradation and repair effectiveness. Additionally, a rubber adhesive layer was applied to the back of composites to quantitatively measure the increase in energy absorption and its effect on repair performance. The findings demonstrate the potential of rapid heat pressing repair in restoring the mechanical integrity of vitrimer composites and highlight the influence of a rubber adhesive layer in enhancing energy absorption and repair efficacy.

Flexural Behavior of Precast Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams with Intermediate Connection Filled with High-Performance Concrete

Precast rectangular reinforced concrete (PRRC) beams are joined on construction sites using concrete in situ to achieve the desired length. Limited research exists on the effect of intermediate connection shapes and the types of infilled concrete on the flexural performance of PRRC beams. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation into the performance of PRRC beams with various intermediate connection geometries and infilled materials under flexural loading. The study examines rectangular, triangular, and semi-circular intermediate connections, along with the performance of beams infilled with normal concrete (NC), engineered cementitious composites (ECC), ultra-high-performance ECC (UHPECC), and rubberized ECC (RECC). The experimental results indicate that the rectangular intermediate connection exhibits superior performance in terms of strength and energy absorption compared to the triangular and semi-circular shapes. Beams incorporating UHPECC demonstrated the most significant improvements in strength and energy absorption, outperforming those with ECC and RECC for any shape of intermediate connection. Moreover, beams with rectangular connections and UHPECC infill exhibited the most significant increase in energy absorption and ultimate load compared to the beams with ECC and RECC. The ultimate load of the beams with UHPECC and tensile reinforcement bar diameters of 10 mm and 12 mm increased by 13% and 29%, respectively, compared to the control beam. The energy absorption of the beams with tensile reinforcement bar diameters of 10 and 12 mm was found to be 75% and 184% higher, respectively, than the control beam. In addition, an increase in tensile bar diameter was found to enhance both the energy absorption and the ultimate load capacity of the beams, regardless of the type of infill concrete. Beams incorporating UHPECC demonstrated the most significant improvements in strength and energy absorption, outperforming those with ECC and RECC. In particular, beams with rectangular connections and UHPECC infill exhibited an increase in energy absorption and ultimate load of up to 184% and 29%, respectively. UHPC was calculated to be as high as 184%, and 29%, respectively, compared to the control beams. In addition, an increase in tensile bar diameter was found to enhance both energy absorption and ultimate load capacity. Finite element modeling (FEM) was developed and validated against the experimental results to ensure accuracy. A parametric study was conducted to study the effects of various concrete types in triangular and semi-circular connections, as well as the influence of intermediate connection length on semi-circular connections under flexural loads. The findings reveal that increasing the length of intermediate connections increases the ultimate load of the beams.

TPMS-based strut-shell interpenetrating lattice metamaterial with wide-range customizable mechanical properties and superior energy absorption

Mechanical metamaterials (MMs) are artificially designed structures with superior properties that originate from unit cells. Compared with the widely studied single-morphology MMs, multi-morphology interpenetrating MMs offer, by the virtue of their fused lattice characteristics, the potential for customizable mechanical properties and new application fields. Inspired by the fact that the isosurface of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) can divide a lattice into two independent regions, this paper proposes a novel TPMS-based strut-shell interpenetrating (TSSI) lattice metamaterial. This study demonstrates that the TSSI lattice has a larger specific surface area than traditional TPMS lattices. Compared with the volume fraction, the fusion proportion parameter is not only more conducive to effectively adjusting the mechanical properties in a wide range and controlling the anisotropy of the lattice metamaterials to achieve elastic isotropy but significantly changes the dominant mechanism of deformation under uniaxial and shear loads. Moreover, the TSSI lattice metamaterial can avoid sharp stress drops due to the mutual support and wrapping of the internal interpenetrating lattices after failure, resulting in a more stable energy absorption efficiency and a maximum increase in energy absorption of 74%. This work provides new opportunities to design lightweight components with a wide range of customizable mechanical properties and superior energy absorption.

Numerical study of steel beam to reinforce concrete column (RCC) connection with through-plate and buckling-restrained steel plates

This study examines the behavior and failure mechanisms of steel beam-to-reinforced concrete column connections with through-plate and buckling-restrained steel plates (BRSPs) configurations. These connections are critical components in composite steel and concrete structures, playing a vital role in force transfer and resistance to various loads, especially dynamic loads such as earthquakes. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the hysteresis behavior of these connections under cyclic loading using numerical analyses. Parametric models with varying BRSP thicknesses, ranging from 5 to 25 mm, were used to investigate their impact on hysteresis behavior and load-bearing capacity. The effects of different BRSP thicknesses on stress distribution and failure mechanisms were analyzed. The results from the parametric studies show that increasing the thickness of BRSPs improves the stress distribution in the beam-to-column connections. This improvement includes reduced stress concentration and enhanced uniformity of stress distribution, which can lead to reduced localized failures and increased overall connection stability. Numerical simulations indicate that the use of BRSPs (with a thickness of 15 and 17 mm) results in wider and more stable hysteresis loops, reflecting increased energy absorption capacity and improved deformation behavior of the connections under cyclic loading. The findings show that BRSPs can reduce failure concentration, increase flexural resistance, and prevent buckling in steel beams. These results underscore the importance of using BRSPs to enhance structural performance and mitigate potential failures under severe loading conditions.

Penetration resistance of Al2O3 ceramic-ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor: Experimental and numerical investigations

To enhance the protective performance of ceramic composite armor, ballistic penetration experiments were conducted on Al2O3 ceramic-ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor with different thickness configurations. The damage and failure modes of hard projectiles and ceramic-fiber composite targets were analyzed. The recovered projectiles and ceramic fragments were sieved and weighed at multiple stages, revealing a positive correlation between the degree of fragmentation of the projectiles and ceramics and the overall ballistic resistance of the composite targets. Numerical simulations were performed using the LS-DYNA finite element software, and the simulation results showed high consistency with the experimental results, confirming the validity of the material parameters. The results indicate that the projectile heads primarily exhibited crushing and abrasive fragmentation. Larger projectile fragments mainly resulted from tensile and shear stress-induced failure. The failure modes of the composite targets included the formation of ceramic cones and radial cracks under high-velocity impacts. The UHMWPE laminated plates exhibited interlayer separation caused by tensile waves, permanent plastic deformation of the rear surface bulging, and perforation failure primarily due to shear forces.Through extended numerical simulations, while maintaining the same areal density and configuration of 9 mm Al2O3 ceramic + 12 mm UHMWPE laminated composite armor, the thickness configurations of the Al2O3 ceramic and UHMWPE laminated backplates were varied, and various thicknesses of UHMWPE laminates were simulated as the cover layer for the ceramic panels. The simulation results indicated that the composite armor configuration of 10 mm Al2O3 ceramic + 8 mm UHMWPE composite armor increased energy absorption by 13.48 %. When altering the cover layer thickness, a 4 mm UHMWPE + 9 mm Al2O3 + 8 mm UHMWPE composite armor demonstrated a 27.11 % improvement in energy absorption, showing a relatively significant enhancement.

A machine learning-based crashworthiness optimization for a novel pine cone-inspired multi-cell tubes under bending

Bionic tubes are of interest in vehicle engineering due to their superior crashworthiness potential. This study proposes a crashworthiness response investigation and machine learning-based multi-objective optimization of pine cone-inspired muti-celled tubes (PCMTs). The base computer PCMT model was correlated using existing experiments, followed by a dynamic response evaluation of different PCMT geometrical and thickness configurations to assess their structural performance. Surrogate models of these PCMTs were then constructed using machine learning algorithms, and their main and interaction effects were analyzed. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) approach was employed to perform a multi-objective optimization. The results demonstrate that thickness change had more effect on the initial peak force (IPF) and the mean crushing force (MCF) than the specific energy absorption (SEA). Besides, due to the coupling effect, IPF, MCF and SEA of the optimal design solution of the PCMTs could reach a 36.82 %, 61.66 % and 72.95 % increase than the sum case, suggesting that embedding inner tubes could significantly increase energy absorption with a relative minor IPF increase. Moreover, the MCF and SEA of optimal design gave an average difference of 18.01 % and 5.91 % from the original tubes. PCMTs, therefore, could be used as an ideal energy absorption structure in the vehicle body structures.

On the Study of Thickness Gradients in Novel Star Honeycombs: Classical and Combinatorial Designs

Herein, a series of gradient designs are carried out to enhance further the energy absorption capacity of a novel star honeycomb. These include unidirectional and bidirectional gradient designs along the impact direction, while the gradient changes in the non‐impact direction are considered. Via the coupling of bidirectional and unidirectional directions, a combined gradient evolution method is further proposed. The in‐plane compression characteristics of these gradient honeycombs are systematically revealed based on the validated finite element method at low‐, medium‐, and high‐velocity impacts, respectively. The results show that honeycombs with gradient variations in the impact direction are realized as localized modes under both low‐ and medium‐velocity impacts, while honeycombs with gradient design only in the non‐impact direction exhibited global modes and “local + global” modes, respectively; under high‐speed impacts, honeycombs with gradient configurations in the non‐impact direction showed stepped layer‐by‐layer collapses, whereas honeycombs with gradient evolutions only in the impact direction collapsed in I‐shaped layers. Besides, the increase in compressive strength and specific energy absorption of honeycomb with combined gradient configuration can be up to 38.1% and 67.9%. This article provides a new idea of honeycomb gradient evolution, which can provide a reference for improving the energy‐absorption capacity of honeycombs.