Laser-based additively manufactured bio-inspired crashworthy structure: Energy absorption and collapse behaviour under static and dynamic loadings

Highlights: • A novel lattice structure inspired from the beetle's front wing and the arrangement pattern of honeycomb cells is proposed. • The deformation mechanisms of the bio-inspired lattice structure under static and dynamic loading are unveiled. • The specific energy absorption of the bio-inspired lattice structure exhibits certain sensitiveness to the strain rate. • Numerical simulations using Johnson-Cook constitutive model of heat-treated AlSi10Mg material are in good agreement with experimental results. The progress of additive manufacturing (AM) technique broadens the conceivement and adoption of new types of lattice structures effectively. A new lattice structure, drawing on inspiration from nature, was developed and manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM) to explore the effects of printing parameters on densification and mechanical performance. Compressive experiments were conducted by universal testing machine and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system to assess energy absorption and collapse behaviour of bio-inspired structures subjected to static and dynamic load. Each deformation evolution was captured and the digital image correlation (DIC) method was adopted to analyze the strain distribution in the compressive process. The observations reveal that the bio-inspired structure possesses a steady deformation mode under static and dynamic loading, which exhibits a promising prospect for impact resistant applications. Furthermore, energy absorption of this bio-inspired structure displayed some sensitiveness to the rate of strain. Finally, finite element analysis based on Johnson-Cook constitutive model was performed as well to simulate the static and dynamic response of the bio-inspired structure. The finite element outcomes remarkably coincide with the outcomes of experiments.