Axial compression response of multi-cell tube reinforced by parallel leaf veins inspired secondary ribs

Inspired by the veins of leaves, a new bionic multi-cell tube (BMT) with secondary ribs was constructed. Combined with quasi-static compression and numerical simulation, the effects of impact velocity, secondary rib shape on structural deformation and energy absorption were studied. The results show that the specific energy absorption and mean crushing force of BMT increased about 31%similar to 59% and 20%similar to 35.2%, as compared with MT. The introduction of secondary ribs can significantly improve the energy absorption of outer shell. A theory aimed at predicting the mean crushing force of bionic multi-cell tube was developed and verified to have high prediction accuracy.

Automated summary

Inspired by the veins of leaves, a new bionic multi-cell tube (BMT) with secondary ribs was constructed. The effects of impact velocity and secondary rib shape on structural deformation and energy absorption were studied using quasi-static compression and numerical simulation. The results showed significant improvement in energy absorption and mean crushing force with the introduction of secondary ribs, as compared with traditional multi-cell tubes (MT). A theory for predicting the mean crushing force of bionic multi-cell tube was also developed and validated with high prediction accuracy.