An origami-inspired energy absorber

Shadi Khazaaleh, Ahmed S. Dalaq, Mohammed F. Daqaq

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The design of effective and compact energy absorption systems is key to the survivability and durability of many man-made structures and machines. To this end, this work presents the design, assessment, and implementation of a novel origami-inspired energy absorber that is based on the Kresling origami pattern. The absorber consists of a Kresling origami column positioned between the loading point and an energy dissipation module. By exploiting its unique inherent translation-to-rotation coupling feature, the primary function of the Kresling column is to transmit uniaxial incident loads (shock or impact) into localized rotational energy that can then be dissipated in a viscous fluid chamber. The proposed system has several unique advantages over traditional designs including the ability to (i) dissipate energy associated with both torsional and uniaxial loads, (ii) control the rotational velocity profile to maximize energy dissipation, and (iii) customize the restoring-force behavior of the Kresling column to different applications. Furthermore, the proposed design is more compact since it can realize the same stroke distance of the traditional translational design while being considerably shorter. Through extensive computational modeling, parametric studies, and experimental testing, it is demonstrated that the proposed design can be optimized to absorb all the imparted energy; and out of the absorbed energy, around 40% can be dissipated in the viscous fluid, while the rest is either dissipated by the viscoelasticity of the origami column or stored in it as potential energy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number045029
JournalSmart Materials and Structures
Volume33
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2024

Keywords

  • absorber
  • energy
  • impact
  • origami

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Signal Processing
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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