Optimization of Bio-Inspired Composite Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Optimization of Bio-Inspired Composite Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Optimization of Bio-Inspired Composite Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach Iman Karami Fath, Abbas Niknejad, Hadi Zare-Zardini This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 05 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The quest for lightweight materials with exceptional energy absorption capabilities has intensified in recent years, driven by the need to engineer robust structures for critical applications such as aerospace, transportation, and nuclear reactor containment. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the design and evaluation of bio-inspired composite quasi-scale specimens under quasi-static loading, with the aim of maximizing energy absorption efficiency. Drawing inspiration from the unique dermal armor of the pangolin, a distinctive mammalian species, we explore the use of sustainable plant fibers, including luffa and linen, as alternatives to traditional glass fibers. The Taguchi method, a robust statistical approach, is employed to systematically investigate the influence of various parameters on the Total Absorbed Energy (TAE) and Specific Absorbed Energy (SAE). A total of five parameters—fiber type, radius of curvature, number of composite plies, and the dimensions of the trapezoidal scales (Y1 and Y2)—are assessed for their impact on energy absorption. The experimental setup involves fabricating composite specimens using unsaturated isophthalic polyester resin as the matrix, and subjecting them to quasi-static lateral compressive loading. The energy absorption characteristics are analyzed by examining the force-displacement data, with the TAE inferred from the area beneath the curve and the SAE calculated by dividing TAE by the specimen's mass. The results indicate that luffa fibers exhibit superior TAE compared to linen and glass fibers, while linen fibers demonstrate higher SAE. The Taguchi method facilitates the identification of optimal parameter levels for maximizing energy absorption, with the predicted optimal specimen exhibiting a TAE of 11.2431 J and an SAE of 2.3677 J/g, closely matching experimental verification with errors of 5.76% and 3.94%, respectively. Theoretical analysis, incorporating the Rigid Perfectly Plastic (RPP) and Hollomon material models, elucidates the mechanisms underlying energy dissipation, including curvature flattening and plastic hinge formation. This framework provides a robust basis for predicting the energy absorption behavior of bio-inspired composite structures, offering insights into the design of advanced materials with enhanced performance characteristics. The study underscores the potential of bio-inspired designs in addressing contemporary engineering challenges, highlighting the synergy between natural forms and advanced materials science in the pursuit of sustainable and high-performance structural solutions. Physical sciences/Engineering/Biomedical engineering Physical sciences/Engineering/Energy infrastructure Physical sciences/Engineering/Mechanical engineering Bio-inspired design Composite materials Energy absorption Taguchi method Pangolin scales Sustainable plant fibers Material optimization Theoretical modeling Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 05 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 08 Oct, 2024 Reviews received at journal 07 Oct, 2024 Reviews received at journal 06 Oct, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Oct, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 Sep, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Aug, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 01 Aug, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 03 Jul, 2024 Editor invited by journal 03 Jul, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Jul, 2024 First submitted to journal 26 May, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4479637","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":325836933,"identity":"873eb99b-c3f5-4201-a51b-03cd22623e39","order_by":0,"name":"Iman Karami Fath","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Yasouj University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Iman","middleName":"Karami","lastName":"Fath","suffix":""},{"id":325836934,"identity":"7f6c8931-7094-49ad-849e-d501a19d6a98","order_by":1,"name":"Abbas Niknejad","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA0klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACNgbGZjDFcLwBJkIA8MO1nDlApBbJBgZmCOtGApEOM7jd3GxcUMEnz3fzjZkEQ40dA5/0AQJa7hxsTp5xhs1w5u0coJZjyQxsfASsM7iR2HyYt42NcQNYC9sBBjYeAg6zB2v5x2a/4eYZoJZ/RGgB2ZLM28CWuOEGj5kEYxuRWox5jrElzzyTVmyR2JfMQ4SW9MfSPDXHbPuOH95448M3Ozn5HgJaoOAYEHMYMCQwMBCyAw5qgJj9AbGqR8EoGAWjYIQBAH5MPwskzvDhAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Yasouj University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abbas","middleName":"","lastName":"Niknejad","suffix":""},{"id":325836935,"identity":"949fb810-2c71-4439-b6e6-001e542ca193","order_by":2,"name":"Hadi Zare-Zardini","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Meybod University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hadi","middleName":"","lastName":"Zare-Zardini","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-05-26 10:23:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88474-7","type":"published","date":"2025-02-05T15:58:09+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":75931492,"identity":"51fac0f6-7e11-42b4-9993-b3e672529dee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-10 16:14:56","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1203317,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"revisedmanuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4479637/v1_covered_65729d5a-403f-4bb6-8e16-e75af09771d9.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Optimization of Bio-Inspired Composite Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Bio-inspired design, Composite materials, Energy absorption, Taguchi method, Pangolin scales, Sustainable plant fibers, Material optimization, Theoretical modeling","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe quest for lightweight materials with exceptional energy absorption capabilities has intensified in recent years, driven by the need to engineer robust structures for critical applications such as aerospace, transportation, and nuclear reactor containment. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the design and evaluation of bio-inspired composite quasi-scale specimens under quasi-static loading, with the aim of maximizing energy absorption efficiency. Drawing inspiration from the unique dermal armor of the pangolin, a distinctive mammalian species, we explore the use of sustainable plant fibers, including luffa and linen, as alternatives to traditional glass fibers. The Taguchi method, a robust statistical approach, is employed to systematically investigate the influence of various parameters on the Total Absorbed Energy (TAE) and Specific Absorbed Energy (SAE). A total of five parameters\u0026mdash;fiber type, radius of curvature, number of composite plies, and the dimensions of the trapezoidal scales (Y1 and Y2)\u0026mdash;are assessed for their impact on energy absorption. The experimental setup involves fabricating composite specimens using unsaturated isophthalic polyester resin as the matrix, and subjecting them to quasi-static lateral compressive loading. The energy absorption characteristics are analyzed by examining the force-displacement data, with the TAE inferred from the area beneath the curve and the SAE calculated by dividing TAE by the specimen's mass. The results indicate that luffa fibers exhibit superior TAE compared to linen and glass fibers, while linen fibers demonstrate higher SAE. The Taguchi method facilitates the identification of optimal parameter levels for maximizing energy absorption, with the predicted optimal specimen exhibiting a TAE of 11.2431 J and an SAE of 2.3677 J/g, closely matching experimental verification with errors of 5.76% and 3.94%, respectively. Theoretical analysis, incorporating the Rigid Perfectly Plastic (RPP) and Hollomon material models, elucidates the mechanisms underlying energy dissipation, including curvature flattening and plastic hinge formation. This framework provides a robust basis for predicting the energy absorption behavior of bio-inspired composite structures, offering insights into the design of advanced materials with enhanced performance characteristics. The study underscores the potential of bio-inspired designs in addressing contemporary engineering challenges, highlighting the synergy between natural forms and advanced materials science in the pursuit of sustainable and high-performance structural solutions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Optimization of Bio-Inspired Composite Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-07-25 05:46:55","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4479637/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-10-08T06:32:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-10-07T12:35:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-10-06T07:20:29+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"337850266565253717873439452734512376923","date":"2024-10-02T03:13:27+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"117954219819813353893359991270408016023","date":"2024-09-26T06:59:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"264946426207629245816334723927040369074","date":"2024-08-07T06:03:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-08-01T12:45:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-07-03T19:26:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2024-07-03T17:47:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-07-03T04:06:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2024-05-26T10:16:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d9da2ccf-748b-4c1f-879f-c4c5fc3495e5","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 25th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":34475773,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering/Biomedical engineering"},{"id":34475774,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering/Energy infrastructure"},{"id":34475775,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering/Mechanical engineering"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-02-10T16:12:53+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-4479637","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88474-7","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2025-02-05 15:58:09","publishedOnDateReadable":"February 5th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-07-25 05:46:55","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-025-88474-7","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88474-7","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4479637","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4479637","identity":"rs-4479637","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}