Enhanced energy-absorption of AL/CFRP tubes by filling porous lattice

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) tubes and lattice structures offer the advantages of both lightweight and good energy absorption. In this work, the energy absorption capacity of tubular structures is enhanced by filling porous lattice structures. We first compare the numerical and experimental results on square CFRP and Aluminum/CFRP (AL/CFRP) tubes under axial compression , by which the accuracy of simulation is validated. We then parametrically model the porous lattice structures, and fill them into square CFRP and AL/CFRP tubes. The experimental results validate the accuracy of filled AL/CFRP tube, and the advantages of the proposed structures are illustrated. To further explore the potential of the suggested structures, several parametric studies and analyses are conducted. The results indicate that the porous lattice-infilled tubular structures exhibit a sunflower-like deformation pattern when compressed, which is beneficial to its enhanced energy absorption (EA) capability. Moreover, it is found that the EA values of filled CFRP tubes are higher than those of filled AL/CFRP tubes, and the increase in EA values after the combination of lattices and AL/CFRP tube is higher than that of the combination of lattices and CFRP tube. The interaction effect between the lattice infills and square AL/CFRP tubes is more pronounced. The results show that the suggested lattice-infilled tubular structures have enhanced EA efficiency. • The EA capacity of AL/CFRP tube is enhanced by filling lattice structure. • Lattice-infilled tube exhibit a sunflower-like deformation pattern. • HAC-N6G5 achieve the largest EA and SEA gains of 48.60 % and 50.26 % respectively. • Hexagonal inspired porous infills achieve more EA and improvements.