Crashworthiness analysis and optimisation of a multi-level bionic multi-cell tube under axial dynamic impact

Abstract

In this study, a multi-level bionic multi-cell tube (MBMT-n) is proposed, inspired by the horsetail’s cross-sectional structure, and the multi-cell tube shape and distribution characteristics of bamboo vascular bundles. A systematic crashworthiness analysis of MBMT-n under axial dynamic impact was conducted using LS-DYNA. The findings indicate that MBMT-n can enhance crashworthiness while maintaining the same mass. Additionally, the impact of wall thickness and bionic unit cell’s length–width ratio was investigated. Furthermore, a theoretical prediction model for mean crushing force (MCF) was established using the simplified super-folding unit theory. Lastly, to further enhance the structure’s crashworthiness, multi-objective optimisation of MBMT-3 was performed using the NSGA-II algorithm. The several optimal structures were subsequently identified under various peak crushing force (PCF). This study offers a novel approach to the design of energy-absorbing structures.

Keywords:

• Bionic
• multi-level
• multi-cell
• crashworthiness
• simplified super folding element theory

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51875282).