Work

Enhanced in-plane impact characteristics of a novel circular-reinforced sinusoidal honeycomb

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Curved-wall auxetic honeycombs show significant potential for alleviating stress concentrations and enhancing energy absorption. This study presents a novel circular-reinforced sinusoidal honeycomb (CRSH) by reinforcing nodes of conventional sinusoidal honeycombs (SH) with circular rings. Finite element models were validated through quasi-static compression tests of 3D-printed CRSH and SH specimens. The influence of three dimensionless parameters on the in-plane performance of CRSH was systematically assessed across a broad range of impact velocities. CRSH transitions from five-stage to three-stage deformation as velocity increases. Theoretical models were developed to predict two plateau stresses under low-velocity impacts and one plateau stress under high-velocity impacts, showing good agreement with the simulated results. Compared to geometrically equivalent circular-reinforced quadrilateral honeycomb (CRQH) and SH, CRSH exhibits superior auxetic effect, enhanced plateau stresses stability, and increased deformation stages. Under low velocity impacts, CRSH exhibits 70.14% and 131.01% higher specific energy absorption (SEA) than CRQH and SH, respectively. This advantage persists at medium velocities, with SEA exceeding CRQH by 26.09% and SH by 110.92%. At high-velocity impacts, CRSH shows 12.22% lower SEA than CRQH but maintains a 24.43% improvement over SH. Parametric analyses indicate that strategic reduction of sinusoidal amplitude coupled with increases in wall thickness and circular radius can maximize SEA of CRSH, maintaining competitiveness against CRQH even under high-velocity impacts. These results validate the synergistic collaboration between sinusoidal-curved walls and circular reinforcements for enhancing impact resistance through multi-stage deformation mechanisms.

Source: Engineering Structures

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.121430