Picking Up the Optimum Triggering Combinations of Crashworthy 3D-Printed Sustainable Structures: An Experimental Study in Al-Kharj Governorate, KSA

Abstract

Introducing open holes or triggers in the crashworthy structures to reduce the weight or enhance the crash performance became popular. For this reason, this paper aims to answer the next question: To what extent can the trigger mechanisms influence the crashworthiness performance and failure mode of 3D-printed poly-lactic acid (PLA) square tubes for crashworthy applications? Consequently, four design parameters (trigger shape, number of triggers per face, depth of the trigger, and trigger position), each with three levels, were utilized for this goal. The planned tubes are being created using a 3D printing technique and then exposed to quasi-static axial compression loading. The crashing load and the absorbed energy against displacement responses were offered, as well as the failure histories being traced. The crashworthiness exploration was carried out by assessing various crash indicators, i.e., initial peak crash load \(\left({{F}}_{{ip}}\right)\), total energy absorbed (U), specific absorbed energy (SEA), mean crash load (\({\text{F}}_{\text{m}}\)), and crash force efficiency (CFE). Additionally, the best triggering combinations are examined through the use of the complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) method. According to the results, the studied parameters have appositive significance on the crashworthiness performance of 3D-printed square tubes. In light of the COPRAS findings, S3/8 T represents the best triggering mechanisms for crashworthy structures subject to axial compression loading. To put it in a nutshell, presenting triggers have a substantial effect on the crashworthiness performance of the square tubes.