Crashworthiness optimisation design of novel nested structures

Abstract

In order to improve the crashworthiness of the novel circular-vein branched nested tube (CVBNT) proposed in recent research work, the crashworthiness design is optimised in this paper. Based on numerical simulation technology, the finite element model under transverse quasi-static compression of CVBNT is first established and effectively verified. Then, the energy absorption characteristics of CVBNT and different nested tubes were compared and analysed to reveal the excellent energy absorption performance of CVBNT. Finally, the structural design and the cross-sectional thickness optimisation of CVBNT are carried out. The results show that CVBNT has better energy absorption capacity than other nested tubes. The parameters N and γ have an important influence on the crashworthiness of CVBNT, and when N = 6, γ = 0.5 is the best choice in favour of its crashworthiness. At the same time, the optimisation of cross-section thickness effectively improves the crashworthiness of CVBNT.

Keywords:

• Nested structure
• crashworthiness
• energy absorption
• numerical simulation
• optimization design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51705215), The Graduate Student Scientific Research Innovation Projects in Jiangsu Province (NO. KYCX21_3444).