Numerical investigation on energy absorption characteristics and damage modes of biomimetic thin-walled structures in aircraft

Abstract

The crashworthiness of aircraft is essential for both airlines and passengers. Creating lightweight protective structures that achieve a balance between weight and impact resistance while also providing excellent cushioning and energy absorption presents a significant challenge for aircraft designers. The desert beetle's exoskeleton demonstrates remarkable strength and toughness, effectively shielding its body from external threats. This study examines the desert beetle's exoskeleton by developing bio-inspired thin-walled models with three distinct bottom structures based on its cross-section. Numerical simulations were used for calculations and model optimization. The research systematically investigates how various design parameters, such as impact angle, number of support plates, and wall thickness, affect energy absorption performance. The findings indicate that increasing the inclination angle notably decreases the energy absorption capacity of the protective structure, while adding more partitions can significantly enhance this capacity. Additionally, changes in wall thickness directly influence the structure's compressive performance. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the optimized structure's energy absorption characteristics under various conditions is provided. Ultimately, this paper highlights the significance of design optimization for protective structures in micro aerial vehicles and outlines future research directions to better balance performance and practicality.