Crashworthiness of pomelo-inspired PLA structures with gradient cellular design

IF 7.1 1区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences Pub Date : 2025-05-21 DOI:10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2025.110402

M Kathiresan , Vasudevan Rajamohan , Jose Immanuel R , Surekha Gnanasekar

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to enhancing crashworthiness by investigating bio-inspired Voronoi panels modeled after the gradient cellular architecture of pomelo peel. The panels, fabricated using 3D additive fused filament fabrication (FFF) with PLA, feature controlled variations in cellular density, cellular-density-distribution, and wall thickness. A key innovation lies in the design of a centrally densified Voronoi configuration (VM100-CD50-T2), which closely replicates the natural porosity distribution present in the mesocarp region of pomelo fruit. Quasi-static in-plane compression tests, validated by finite element simulations using ABAQUS®, were used to evaluate critical crashworthiness metrics, including Load Uniformity Index (LUI), Crush Force Efficiency (CFE), and Specific Energy Absorption (SEA). Results show that increasing wall thickness significantly enhances SEA by up to 89 % in UM50 panels and that cell density distribution plays a critical role in load response. The VM100-CD50-T2 panel exhibited a 12 % increase in SEA and progressive collapse behavior with a 26 % reduction in initial peak load, demonstrating the structural advantage of a functionally graded cellular design. This work introduces a bio-inspired gradient design methodology with direct applications in lightweight, energy-absorbing components for automotive, aerospace, and protective systems.

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基于梯度细胞设计的柚形PLA结构的耐撞性

本研究提出了一种新的方法，通过研究仿造柚子皮梯度细胞结构的仿生Voronoi面板来增强耐撞性。该面板使用PLA的3D添加剂熔融长丝制造（FFF）制造，具有细胞密度、细胞密度分布和壁厚的可控变化。一个关键的创新在于设计了一个集中致密的Voronoi结构（VM100-CD50-T2），它紧密地复制了柚子果实中果皮区域的自然孔隙分布。准静态平面内压缩试验，通过ABAQUS®有限元模拟验证，用于评估关键的耐撞性指标，包括负载均匀性指数（LUI）、碾压力效率（CFE）和比能吸收（SEA）。结果表明，增加壁厚可显著提高UM50面板的SEA，最高可达89%，并且单元密度分布在负载响应中起关键作用。VM100-CD50-T2面板显示出12%的SEA和渐进式坍塌行为增加，26%的初始峰值负荷减少，证明了功能分级细胞设计的结构优势。这项工作介绍了一种生物启发的梯度设计方法，直接应用于汽车、航空航天和防护系统的轻质、吸能部件。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

12.80

自引率

17.80%

发文量

769

审稿时长

19 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Mechanical Sciences (IJMS) serves as a global platform for the publication and dissemination of original research that contributes to a deeper scientific understanding of the fundamental disciplines within mechanical, civil, and material engineering. The primary focus of IJMS is to showcase innovative and ground-breaking work that utilizes analytical and computational modeling techniques, such as Finite Element Method (FEM), Boundary Element Method (BEM), and mesh-free methods, among others. These modeling methods are applied to diverse fields including rigid-body mechanics (e.g., dynamics, vibration, stability), structural mechanics, metal forming, advanced materials (e.g., metals, composites, cellular, smart) behavior and applications, impact mechanics, strain localization, and other nonlinear effects (e.g., large deflections, plasticity, fracture). Additionally, IJMS covers the realms of fluid mechanics (both external and internal flows), tribology, thermodynamics, and materials processing. These subjects collectively form the core of the journal's content. In summary, IJMS provides a prestigious platform for researchers to present their original contributions, shedding light on analytical and computational modeling methods in various areas of mechanical engineering, as well as exploring the behavior and application of advanced materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials processing.