Auxeticity effect on crushing characteristics of auxetic foam-filled square tubes under axial loading

This paper treats energy absorption and crushing characteristics of auxetic foam-filled square-section tubes under axial loading condition. The influence of auxeticity effect on the structural collapse was experimentally investigated to quantify the interaction effect between Poisson's ratios of foam (ranging from −0.31– 0.03) and square tube walls under quasi-static and dynamic loadings. The validated computer simulation technique was employed to conduct a series of parametric study in order to evaluate the influence of tube parameters on the energy absorption responses. It is evident that negative Poisson ratio effectively influences the crushing response and energy absorption capability of auxetic foam-filled square tubes. Moreover, it was found that increasing the auxeticity level of foam filler enhances crashworthiness performance of foam-filled structures under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The primary outcome of this study is a design guideline for the use of auxetic foam in different ranges of Poisson's ratio as a core for an energy absorber device where impact loading is expected. [Display omitted] •An increase in the auxeticity level of foam core enhances the energy absorption of auxetic foam-filled square tubes.•Interaction effect between auxetic foam core and square tube was directly influenced by varying foam Poisson's ratio.•The auxeticity level affects the strain rate sensitivity of auxetic foam materials.•Increasing the width and height of filled tube makes the structure heavier without affecting the absorbed energy.