Abstract
Many traditional thin-walled structures have the disadvantages of excessive force drop after the initial peak and
large structural mass (SM). Inspired by bamboo and lotus root, hexagonal, pentagonal, quadrilateral and
triangular polycellular structures (PSs) are proposed in this work to overcome these shortcomings. Their energy
absorption, deformation modes and equivalent densities under axial compression are studied. For PSs with
connecting plates, the crushing mode of cells is analyzed, and many interesting deformation modes of these PSs
such as double-headed axe, progressive collapse and single-headed axe shapes are presented. Compared with
bamboo-like PSs, lotus root-like PSs are prone to bend during compression. For PSs without connecting plates, a
variety of PSs are proposed for each shape. The deformation modes of X, double-headed axe, mixed, two trap-
ezoids, thin waist drum and concave polygon shapes are obtained. Models with greater equivalent densities tend
to have better energy absorption efficiency. The compression performance of PSs without connecting plates is
significantly better than that of PSs with connecting plates. In addition, a PS made of nylon 11 is manufactured
and tested to further verify the performance of PSs. These PSs have uniform structural stiffness, reasonable
deformation modes, and efficient energy absorption effects. Their excellent compression properties depend on
the gradual collapse of cells.
large structural mass (SM). Inspired by bamboo and lotus root, hexagonal, pentagonal, quadrilateral and
triangular polycellular structures (PSs) are proposed in this work to overcome these shortcomings. Their energy
absorption, deformation modes and equivalent densities under axial compression are studied. For PSs with
connecting plates, the crushing mode of cells is analyzed, and many interesting deformation modes of these PSs
such as double-headed axe, progressive collapse and single-headed axe shapes are presented. Compared with
bamboo-like PSs, lotus root-like PSs are prone to bend during compression. For PSs without connecting plates, a
variety of PSs are proposed for each shape. The deformation modes of X, double-headed axe, mixed, two trap-
ezoids, thin waist drum and concave polygon shapes are obtained. Models with greater equivalent densities tend
to have better energy absorption efficiency. The compression performance of PSs without connecting plates is
significantly better than that of PSs with connecting plates. In addition, a PS made of nylon 11 is manufactured
and tested to further verify the performance of PSs. These PSs have uniform structural stiffness, reasonable
deformation modes, and efficient energy absorption effects. Their excellent compression properties depend on
the gradual collapse of cells.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | International Journal of Mechanical Sciences |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 31 May 2022 |