Topology Optimization Study in Energy Absorption of Lattice-core Sandwich Beams under Three-point Bending Test

Abstract

In this research, an influence of topology optimization in energy absorption of lattice core sandwich beams by using ABAQUS software was an investigation. Relationships between the force and displacement at the midspan of the sandwich beams were obtained from the experiments. Two types of Steel lattice cores with three cell orientation were subjected to the low-velocity impact test under three-point bending. The core of sandwich beams was made from expanded metal sheets and a topology optimization with Solid Isotropic Microstructure with Penalization (SIMP) method was used to remove the redundant expanded metal cell. In the following, by studying the topology optimization to evaluate the impact parameters, including Specific Energy Absorption (SEA), as discussed testing purposes. The energy absorbing system can be used in the aerospace industry, shipbuilding, automotive, railway industry and elevators to absorb impact energy. Experimental and numerical results showed that topology optimization could significantly increase specific absorbed energy. Results of three-point bending crushing tests showed that the SEA of a sandwich beam with optimal core structure increased between 45% and 94% compared to the initial design structure of the core. In addition, appropriate orientation of expanded metal cell in the core of sandwich beam caused to increase the specific energy absorption by more than 90%. Finally, an appropriate optimal geometric structure with three tape of volume fraction and the best examples of criteria considered with respect to the objectives were introduced.