Analytical and finite element analyses on axial tensile behaviour of origami bellows with polygonal cross-section
Xinyi Zhang, D. Karagiozova, Guoxing Lu, Yvonne Durandet, Shenghai Wang
Abstract
The mechanical behaviour and energy absorption (EA) of origami bellows with polygonal cross-sections under quasi-static axial tension were numerically and theoretically investigated. The finite element analysis results showed that the plateau force increased with the number of polygon sides N, leading to increases in the mean tensile force (Pm) and SEA. Two types of basic deployment elements during the tensile process of hexagonal cross-section bellows were defined in two deployment modes, namely non-rigid deployment mode I and non-rigid deployment mode II. The bellows exhibiting deployment mode II had approximately 60% greater SEA and Pm than those exhibiting mode I. Theoretical predictions of the mean tensile force for each mode were derived based on a rigid, perfectly plastic material with superfolding elements. The predicted results showed reasonable agreement with the finite element analysis results in terms of force–displacement history and mean tensile force. This work reveals the fundamental mechanics involved and can facilitate design of origami bellows with optimized geometric and material parameters for desired EA behaviour.