Numerous engineering applications require lightweight structures with excellent absorption capacity. The problem of obtaining such structures may be solved by nature and especially biological structures with such properties. The paper concerns an attempt to develop a new energy-absorbing material using a biomimetic approach. The lightweight structure investigated here is mimicking geometry of diatom shells, which are known to be optimized by nature in terms of the resistance to mechanical loading. The structures mimicking frustule of diatoms, retaining the similarity with the natural shell, were 3D printed and subjected to compression tests. As required, the bio-inspired structure deformed continuously with the increase in deformation force. Finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to gain insight into the mechanism of damage of the samples mimicking diatoms shells. The experimental results showed a good agreement with the numerical results. The results are discussed in the context of further investigations which need to be conducted as well as possible applications in the energy absorbing structures.
Study of Crashworthy Structure for Head on Collision between Train Units (Characteristics of Energy Absorbing Structure between Cars in Train Unit)
