Comparative Analysis of Energy Absorption,Deformation of Thin-Walled Tubes with VariousSection Geometries and Thicknesses

In this paper, deformation and energy absorption capacity of thin-walled tubes with various section shapes (circular, square, triangular) and various thicknesses (1, 2, 3mm) are investigated both experimentally and numerically. The tubes have the same volume, height, average section area and materialand are subjected under axial dynamic loading. The results of simulations are in good agreement with the experimental data and show that the section geometry and thickness have considerable effects on the energy absorption. The circular tube with 3mm thickness has the most energy absorption capacity and the most average force among all investigated sections and thicknesses. Since the maximum force is concerned in impact events, circular tube with 1mm thickness is recommended, due to their uniform load-displacement curves and therefore, there is less difference between the maximum and the average forces.

Keywords:

Crushing , Thin-Walled tube , Energy absorption