An energy-absorbing structure is provided, which comprises two generally parallel metal sheets arranged to receive an impacting force against the uppermost sheet and cooperatively prevent an object supported by the uppermost sheet from impacting a basal surface. One metal sheet may be fabricated from expanded metal for its non-isotropic shock-absorbing properties. The other metal sheet may be fabricated from a non-elastic material and arranged to be supported by pins inserted through holes along the perimeter of the sheet, so that when an impacting force is applied, it will resist the force until the force is sufficiently strong so as to shear the pins through the sheet and abruptly release, thus allowing the metal sheet fabricated from expanded metal to absorb the remainder of the impacting force. The invention may find application in vehicles operating in the air, land, or sea.