04.2 - Aerostructures Design, Structural Dynamics, Aeroelasticity

ENERGY DISSIPATION OF THIN-WALLED RIBBED SPHERES FOR CARGO AIRDROP

A. Lloyd¹, K.C. Wong¹; ¹University of Sydney, Australia

Conventional airdrop uses a cardboard honeycomb developed half a century ago to absorb energy at impact. This solution is logistically inefficient and has a sub-optimal crush efficiency. This study embraces additive manufacturing to create an energy absorbing structure with a low initial force, crush behaviour that promotes stroke and prolongs the onset of densification.

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DOI: 10.71945/icas2026_0290