Crashworthiness study of tubular lattice structures based on triply periodic minimal surfaces under quasi-static axial crushing

This study explored the crashworthiness performance of four types of tubular lattice structures based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (named TPMS-T)-Diamond, Gyroid, IWP, and Primitive. Their axial crushing behaviors were examined by experiments and numerical simulation, and compared against typical tubes. TPMS-T outperformed traditional tubes in terms of crashworthiness. Subsequently, the effects of the relative density (rho), density gradient and hybrid design on the crushing behaviors of TPMS-T were analyzed numerically. Results showed that rho had a significant effect on crashworthiness performance and deformation modes, and density gradient and hybrid design could lead to lower initial peak crushing force (Fp), higher specific energy absorption (SEA), and larger crushing force efficiency (CFE). Finally, numerical investigations of the improved TPMS-T structures were shown to enhance crashworthiness performance through interaction with tube walls.