Design and Analysis of a New Buffer Structure with Negative Stiffness and Poisson’s Ratio

Abstract

A new structure with negative stiffness and negative Poisson’s ratio was designed to exhibit these characteristics during compression, energy absorption, and energy storage. The structure also shows improved impact resistance under extreme conditions due to transverse contraction during impact compression. These characteristics make the structure very suitable for use in spacecraft landing systems. A finite-element model using the improved Auricchio constitutive model was established, and compression tests were conducted on the new structure. The test results are in agreement with the simulation, validating the finite-element model. Comparing the new structure with traditional structures with negative Poisson’s ratio, the new structure demonstrated significantly better energy absorption and experienced minimal deformation during the compression-pull process. In addition, the finite-element model was used to analyze the influence of cell structural parameters. Further analysis showed that cell width and wall thickness of a curved beam are critical parameters influencing the structure’s overall energy-absorption performance, which should be emphasized in the design of landing energy-absorption devices with the new structure.