Dynamic Crushing and Energy Absorption of Functionally Graded Aluminum Cellular Metal with Cubic Structure

The dynamic crushing and energy absorption of regular and functionally graded cellular metal is investigated using finite element method. The cellular metal consists of hollow cubic structure which is manufactured by way of stamping. The functionally graded cellular structure is designed by changing the side length of hollow cubic structure. Dynamic crushing simulation of both regular and functionally graded structures was conducted. The numerical simulation results show that the functionally graded one is more superior in energy absorption than the regular one. Different from the regular one, the stress-strain curve of the functionally graded structure has 4-four stress plateau stages. Positive gradient and negative gradient functionally graded structures were also simulated and compared under different impact speed. The decreasing one was supposed to be more stable. The study provides a new insight into functionally graded cellular structure.