Sandwich structure with negative Poisson’s ratio of periodic rectangular tube: Mechanical properties and energy absorption

Abstract

Due to its unique deformation form, Negative Poisson’s ratio sandwich structure has excellent energy absorption, but the low load capacity limits its engineering applications. In this paper, we design a new negative Poisson’s ratio rectangular tube periodic sandwich structure. There are many beams in this structure which appear plastic hinges when compressed. After further compression, the rectangular tube wall buckles and the core shrinks inward, which realizes that the structure exhibits high-performance energy absorption ability and excellent mechanical properties. Three-dimensional finite element model of sandwich structure with negative Poisson’s ratio of periodic rectangular tube quasi-static compression test and low-velocity impact were investigated by the use of ABAQUS/Explicit software. The accuracy of the simulation method was verified by the comparison of test and simulation results. Based on the validated numerical models were further investigated to comprehensively understand the influence of rectangular tube unit cell wall thickness (t) and cell height (h) on the load capacity and energy absorption capacity of the specimen. The energy absorption capacity and mechanical properties of the proposed negative Poisson’s ratio sandwich structure could be enhanced by optimizing the design of rectangular tube unit cell wall thickness (t) and rectangular tube unit cell height (h). The present findings offer insights into the application of negative Poisson’s ratio sandwich structure impact energy-absorbing structures in aerospace, automotive and other fields.