Protective Behaviors of Bio-Inspired Honeycomb Column Thin-Walled Structure against RC Slab under Impact Loading

In order to protect the reinforced concrete (RC) slab structure from damage under some accidental conditions, such as impacting and explosion, we used bio-inspired honeycomb column thin-walled structure (BHTS) to serve as a buffer interlayer for the concrete structure inspired by the biological structure of beetle’s elytra. The mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg used to fabricate the BHTS buffer interlayer were determined by low- and medium-speed uniaxial compression tests and numerical simulations. Subsequently, based on the drop weight impact test models, the effect of the buffer interlayer on the response of the RC slab under the drop weight tests with different energy input was compared by the impact force and duration, maximum displacement and residual displacement, energy absorption (EA), energy proportion, and other indicators. The results show that the proposed BHTS buffer interlayer has a very significant protection effect on the RC slab under the impact of the drop hammer. Due to its superior performance, the proposed BHTS buffer interlayer provides a promising solution for EA of augmented cellular structures widely used in defensive structural components, such as floor slabs, building walls, etc.