Finite Element Analysis of Three-Point Bending Test of a Porous Beam Emulating Bone Structure for the Development of Vehicle Side Instrusion Bars

Abstract

This paper presents three-point bending analysis of a porous beam using the finite element method. This novel porous structure emulates the structure of trabecular (cancellous) bone at the metaphysis of a rabbit. Segments of the bone were scanned using a high-resolution CT-scanner. The bone geometry was recreated and a finite element mesh was generated using software MIMICS. The finite element model of the bone structure was developed and a quasi-static three-point bending test was simulated in ABAQUS. This approach can be utilized in design of side intrusion bar of passenger car as these would be subjected mainly to a bending load during the event of a side collision. In this work, the load carrying capacity and specific energy absorption were determined when the properties of aluminium alloys 6061T6 were applied to the geometrical models of the rabbit femur metaphysis structure. This biomimetic design approach can be generally used to develop novel load bearing lightweight structures inspired by the structural properties of animal bones. Lightweight structures developed this way are expected to increase stiffness at a significantly reduced weight.