Numerical Study of Crashworthiness of Shrimp-Bioinspired Tubes for the Design of a Side-Door Beam

This chapter delves into the innovative application of bioinspired designs, specifically drawing inspiration from the segmented structure of shrimp tails, to enhance the crashworthiness of automotive components. The study focuses on the bending resistance and energy absorption capabilities of bioinspired thin-walled structures (BTWS), which are numerically evaluated using finite element analysis. The research builds upon previous studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of bioinspired designs in improving crashworthiness, but it uniquely concentrates on the response to bending loads, an area that has received less attention. The chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of four different BTWS designs, each inspired by the segmented anatomy of shrimp tails, and compares their performance to a typical circular profile. The findings reveal that the segmented structures exhibit superior load-carrying capacities and energy absorption, making them ideal for applications such as side-door impact beams. The chapter also includes an experimental validation of the numerical models, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the results. Furthermore, the practical implications of the study are highlighted through the design of a side-door impact beam, which is tested according to the NCAP side pole test. The bioinspired design demonstrates a 10% increase in energy absorption compared to conventional systems, underscoring its potential to improve passenger safety in lateral car collisions. The detailed analysis and practical applications make this chapter a compelling read for those interested in the intersection of biomimicry and structural engineering.