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 (ρ¯), density gradient and hybrid design on the crushing behaviors of TPMS-T were analyzed numerically. Results showed that ρ¯ had a significant effect on crashworthiness performance and deformation modes, and density gradient and hybrid design could lead to lower initial peak crushing force (F_p), 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.