Multistable cosine-curved dome system for elastic energy dissipation

This paper presents a new energy dissipation system composed of multistable cosine-curved domes (CCD) connected in series. The system exhibits multiple consecutive snap-through and snap-back buckling behavior with a hysteretic response. The response of the CCDs is within the elastic regime and hence the system's original configuration is fully recoverable. Numerical studies and experimental tests were conducted on the geometric properties of the individual CCD units and their number in the system to examine the force-displacement and energy dissipation characteristics. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to simulate the response of the system to develop a multilinear analytical model for the hysteretic response that considers the nonlinear behavior of the system. The model was used to study the energy dissipation characteristics of the system. Experimental tests on 3D printed specimens were conducted to analyze the system and validate numerical results. Results show that the energy dissipation mainly depends on the number and the apex height-to-thickness ratio of the CCD units. The developed multilinear analytical model yields conservative yet accurate values for the dissipated energy of the system. The proposed system offered reliable high energy dissipation with a maximum loss factor value of 0.14 for a monostable (self-recoverable) system and higher for a bistable system.