# Bio-Inspired Voronoi-Based Porous Tubular Structure Design and Crashworthiness Properties

## TL;DR

This paper presents a bio-inspired design for porous tubular structures that mimic luffa sponges, showing improved energy absorption and lightweight properties.

## Contribution

A novel bio-inspired Voronoi Tube (BVT) design method is introduced, combining Voronoi tessellation and optimization for enhanced crashworthiness.

## Key findings

- The BVT structure replicates the energy absorption behavior of natural luffa sponges.
- Increasing the diameter from 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm boosts specific energy absorption by 78.32%.
- Tailored geometry adjustments under identical mass conditions can enhance SEA by up to 34.57%.

## Abstract

Porous tubular structures are of significant interest in engineering due to their exceptional potential for lightweight design, energy absorption, and multifunctional integration. Inspired by the unique net architecture of natural luffa sponges, this study introduces a novel design approach for such structure, namely bio-inspired Voronoi Tube (BVT). This design employs Voronoi tessellation patterns, parametrically controlled through the spatial distribution of seed points and integrates iterative optimization algorithms, to achieve precise coordinated regulation over the randomness and continuity of the resulting spatial network, closely mimicking the biological paradigm. Then, specimens are fabricated via additive manufacturing and then quasi-statically compressed axially, followed by systematic mechanical testing of the base material. The experimental results are analyzed to reveal the BVT structure’s mechanical responses and simultaneously validate finite-element simulation model. Subsequently, a systematic numerical analysis is performed to further understand the deformation mechanisms of the BVT structure and the influence of key geometric parameters. The results indicate that the iteratively optimized BVT structure successfully replicates the characteristic energy absorption behavior of the natural luffa sponge, confirming the effectiveness of the bio-inspired design. A rise in diameter from 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm results in a 78.32% increase in the specific energy absorption (SEA). Under identical mass conditions, tailored adjustments to the geometry can enhance the SEA by up to 34.57%.