Bending behavior of triply periodic minimal surface foam-filled tubes

Foam-filled tubes represent one of the best energy-absorbing components for future crashworthiness applications. Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS)-filled tubes were investigated under quasi-static and dynamic three-point bending loading conditions. The TPMS-filled tubes enhanced specific energy absorption up to 46% compared to the sum of empty tubes and the core response separately. The validated computational models were used to extend the computational study to investigate graded core of TPMS-filled tubes under bending loading. The study results show that the mechanical response of TPMS-filled tubes can be tuned using different relative densities or/and distributions of relative density of the core.

Automated summary

The study investigates the use of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS)-filled tubes as energy-absorbing components for crashworthiness applications. It is found that TPMS-filled tubes can enhance specific energy absorption by up to 46% compared to empty tubes and the core response separately. The mechanical response of TPMS-filled tubes can be tuned by adjusting the relative densities or distributions of the core.