Experimental and simulation analysis of energy absorption capacity of 3D printed structure design (A)

• Main Author: Aw, Lai Seng
• Other Authors: Li Hua
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176266
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This article explores the experimental and simulation analysis of a 3D printed structure's energy absorption capacity. 3D printing is increasingly used to fabricate products as special structure designs are developed and outperforming traditional material structure. Energy absorption relates to the ability of a structure or material to dissipate kinetic energy resulting from external loads by undergoing plastic deformation or fracture upon impact. The focus is on assessing how variations in the volume and orientation of a square tubular structure impact its energy absorption under compression testing. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulations, conducted using ANSYS software, predict the energy absorption of different structures under diverse loading conditions. Meshing, a critical simulation step, directly influences result accuracy and efficiency. The experiment involves compressive testing of the square tubular structure at four volume fractions and two orientations, with results analysing key parameters affecting energy absorption. Additionally, a graded structure is designed and simulated to compare energy absorption capacities with a regular design. The study concludes that optimizing the geometric design of square tubular structures could significantly enhance their energy absorption capacity, offering valuable insights for their design and optimization in energy absorption applications.