Numerical simulation of large deformation of flat-topped conical shells made of textile composite

This paper numerically analyzes the large deformation behaviour of a grid-domed textile composite consisting of flat-topped conical cells under quasi-static axial compression. Based on experimental observations and previous theoretical analysis, a pair of small transverse forces applied at the appropriate opposite positions of the conical cell is introduced as the ini- tial imperfection to stimulate the diamond-pattern deformation-mode of an anisotropic cell. The geometric changes of the cell and the contact conditions of the displacement-controlled axial compression process are taken into simulation. The numerical results are found in good agreement with experimental results and theoretical analysis in the deformation-mode and the load-carrying capacity. With the verified FE model, the effects of geometric parameters and other factors on the energy absorption capacity of conical cells are examined, so some local optimal parameters are obtained.