Artificially smart optimization of crash cushion device sustained by experimental and numerical study of re-entrant auxetic honeycomb

• Published in: International journal of crashworthiness Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 22 - 35
• Main Authors: Tondut, J., Di Cesare, N., Ronel, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Taylor & Francis 02-01-2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Absorption; Algorithms; Crash cushions; Deceleration; Energy absorption; Engineering Sciences; Finite element method; Global optimization; Heuristic methods; hexagonal re-entrant honeycomb; Honeycomb structures; Impact analysis; Impact velocity; Mechanics; Objective function; Optimization; road safety; Safety devices; Search algorithms; Structural mechanics; Traffic accidents; Traffic accidents & safety; Traffic safety; OPTIMISATION; ENERGY ABSORPTION; SECURITE ROUTIERE; HEXAGONAL RE-ENTRANT HONEYCOMB
• ISSN: 1358-8265; 1573-8965; 1754-2111
• DOI: 10.1080/13588265.2022.2134690

Honeycomb structures are widely used in energy absorption, and more recently auxetic honeycombs have been studied in order to improve absorption capabilities of such structures. The hexagonal re-entrant (HR) honeycomb is foreseen to be a promising structure under impact velocities. An experimental analysis of the re-entrant honeycomb under impact velocity has led to a finite elements model validation at scale one, i.e. scale of current car crash cushions. A new objective function based on the European Standard has been developed in order to improve crash cushions capabilities while avoiding peak deceleration by using a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm. The global optimization process has been performed using Inverse-PageRank-PSO algorithm. The algorithm has led to an optimal geometrical configuration of HR honeycomb improving the performance of current road safety devices. The optimal structure presents a quasi-linear absorption curve, as recommended by European standards.