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Energy absorption of
a helicoidal bistable structure
Seubpong Leelavanichkul, Andrej Cherkaev, Daniel O. Adams and Florian Solzbacher |
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Vol. 5 (2010), No. 2, 305–321
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Abstract |
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The concept of a bistable structure as an energy absorbing structure is presented. A bistable structure is capable of distributing damage throughout the whole body, thus increasing the amount of energy dissipation. Using this concept, a helicoidal bistable structure is developed. We investigate a structure in which a helicoidal orthotropic shell envelops a solid cylinder. The center core of the structure is treated as a linear-elastic isotropic material. Numerical simulations of damage (breakages) are performed under static loads, and the force-displacement relation is obtained as a result. As an energy absorbing structure, the helicoidal bistable structure can absorb more energy than a conventional structure before it fails. The helicoidal bistable structure can be designed to sustain a small elongation while still being able to release energy effectively. The additional twisting degrees of freedom correspond to the additional energy released in the process of elongation. |
Keywords
bistable structure, helicoidal composites, energy
absorption, damage
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Milestones
Received: 6 February 2009
Revised: 23 June 2009
Accepted: 20 August 2009
Published: 30 August 2010
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Authors |
| Seubpong Leelavanichkul | |
| Department of Mechanical
Engineering University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112 United States |
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| Andrej Cherkaev | |
| Department of Mathematics University of Utah 155 S. 1400 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84112 United States |
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| Daniel O. Adams | |
| Department of Mechanical
Engineering University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112 United States |
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| Florian Solzbacher | |
| Department of Electrical &
Computer Engineering University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112 United States |
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