Influence of the loading regime on the uniaxial compressive behaviour of density graded Citrus Maxima peel

Abstract

To conceive more efficient protective structures, it is possible to draw inspiration from natural structures. However, the origin of the mechanical absorption properties of natural structures is not always clear. Among the multitude of existing natural structures, the density graded peel of the Citrus Maxima was studied in this work to characterize its mechanical behaviour under uniaxial compression, from the quasi-static regime to the dynamic regime. The resulting behaviour is very different from a classical foam behaviour as no linear part is observed for small strains. Furthermore, the mechanical behaviour is deeply influenced by the loading regime: a stair-case response appears under dynamic loading.