Quasi-static puncture resistance behaviors of the air cushion fabric structures

Air cushion fabric structures rely on the internal air pressure within the enclosed space to support external loads. However, during service, they are often subjected to puncture forces from hard objects, which can significantly undermine their structural integrity. To address this issue, the present study investigates the quasi-static puncture resistance behavior of air cushion fabric structures. The analysis focuses on the influence of several factors, including internal pressure, penetrator shape and material, yarn orientation, puncture location, and specimen geometry on puncture resistance. In addition, a computational model to evaluate the puncture resistance of cushion structures has been developed using the finite element (FE) method. The results indicate that puncture resistance is strongly dependent on the shape of the penetrator and the magnitude of the internal pressure. Flat penetrators induce the highest puncture resistance, followed by hemispherical and conical heads, with the latter exhibiting lower resistance due to edge-induced punching shear. Wooden penetrators produce smoother resistance curves but exhibit higher puncture resistance and displacement compared to steel penetrators. As internal pressure increases, a reduction in the cushion’s puncture resistance is observed. The FE models provided accurate predictions of the puncture resistance behavior of the cushions.