Simulations of impact mechanical properties of spherical cell lattice structure

Purpose The deformation mode, initial peak force, collision load efficiency, average stress, energy absorption per unit volume and specific energy absorption of spherical cell lattice structure and its gradient structure under three impact velocities are studied. Design/methodology/approach A spherical cell lattice structure was designed based on the results of ANSYS topology optimization. Finite element simulation analysis using through-hole diameter as a variable. Findings The energy absorption and specific energy absorption of the spherical cell lattice structure increase first and then decrease with the increase of the diameter of the through-hole and reach the maximum at D = 4 mm or 4.5 mm. The initial peak stress of the spherical cell lattice gradient structure is obviously lower than that of the uniform structure, which is reduced by 42% at most and the energy absorption is larger than that of the uniform structure, which is increased by 12.4% at most. Originality/value Based on the through-hole spherical shell topology, a spherical lattice cell is designed. The deformation patterns of uniform structure and gradient structure are compared and analyzed. The effects of different impact velocities and through-hole diameters on the deformation mode, initial peak force, collision load efficiency, average stress, energy absorption per unit volume, specific energy absorption and other mechanical properties of the spherical cell lattice structure and its gradient structure are studied.