Nonlinear dynamic modeling of the energetic behavior of multishaped lattice cells

This paper deals with the numerical modeling of the energy absorption behavior of truss lattice structures under static and dynamic compressive load. A set of lattice cells is defined in order to enable the investigation of different topology parameters, such as inclination of struts, vertical reinforcements and boolean union of lattice cells, while the representative volume element size is kept constant together with the strut diameter. The following properties, employed to define the energy absorption behavior of the selected lattice structures are investigated: volumetric and specific energy absorption, densification strain and crush load efficiency. Both static and dynamic analyses are performed; the first ones being useful for defining a set of properties in the framework of rapid prototyping, while dynamic analyses are necessary for evaluating the energy absorption potential of lattice structures in wider ranges of operative conditions, especially when they come to densification.