Experimental and numerical study and multi-objective optimisation of quasi-static compressive test on three-dimensional printed lattice-core sandwich structures

Abstract

This paper focuses on the energy absorption of additively-manufactured or 3D-printed lattice-core sandwich structures of different configurations. The rhombic dodecahedron lattice unit cell, which has been extensively investigated for energy absorption, is the starting point for this research. The compressive behaviour of 3D lattice structures with rhombic dodecahedron unit cells was examined at quasi-static loading along with the influence of the angle between struts, struts diameter, and the number of layers in the core. The angle between struts had the highest degree of influence on the specific energy absorption. The results showed that the diameter of struts has been the most influential parameter to increase mean and peak forces. The results of using the design expert software showed the optimal specific energy absorption and peak force to be 3.8779 J/gr and 3458.25 N, respectively.

Keywords:

• Axial compression
• composite structures
• energy absorption
• numerical analysis
• plastic hinge
• quasi-static

Disclosure statement

All authors have participated in (a) conception and design, or analysis and interpretation of the data; (b) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (c) approval of the final version. This manuscript has not been submitted to, nor is under review at, another journal or other publishing venue. The authors have no affiliation with any organization with a direct or indirect financial interest in the subject matter discussed in the manuscript.