Crashworthiness of double-cell conical tubes with different cross sections subjected to dynamic axial and oblique loads

Abstract

Thin-walled tubes are increasingly used in automobile industries to improve structural safety. The present work deals with the collapse behavior of double-cell conical tubes subjected to dynamic axial and oblique loads. Crashworthiness of these tubes having different sections (e.g., circular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal) was numerically investigated by using an experimentally validated finite element model generated in LS-DYNA. Geometry of these tubes was then optimized by decreasing the cross section dimensions at the distal end while the weight remained unchanged. Octagonal conical tube was finally found to be more preferable to the others as a collision energy absorber. In addition, square and circular tubes showed diamond deformation mode, while the other tubes collapsed in concertina mode. A decision making method called TOPSIS was finally implemented on the numerical results to select the most efficient energy absorber.

Keywords

crashworthiness / dynamic axial and oblique load / double-cell conical tube / mean dynamic load

References

[1] ShakeriM, SalehghaffariS, MirzaeifarR. Expansion of circular tubes by rigid tubes as impact energy absorbers: Experimental and theoretical investigation [J]. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2007, 12: 493-501

[2] KaviH, ToksoyA K, GudenM. Predicting energy absorption in a foam-filled thin-walled aluminum tube based on experimentally determined strengthening coefficient [J]. Material and Design, 2006, 27: 263-269

[3] WangX G, BlochJ A, CesaryD. Axial crushing of tubes made of multi-materials [J]. Mechanics and mechanisms of damage in composites and multi materials, 1991, 1: 351-361

[4] QiuN, GaoY, FangJ, FengZ, SunG, LiQ. Theoretical prediction and optimization of multi-cell hexagonal tubes under axial crashing [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2016, 102: 111-121

[5] WuS, ZhengG, SunG, LiuQ, LiG, LiQ. On design of multi-cell thin-walled structures for crashworthiness [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2016, 88: 102-117

[6] SongJ, GuoF. A comparative study on the windowed and multi-cell square tubes under axial and oblique loading [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2013, 66: 9-14

[7] AbramowiczW, JonesN. Dynamic axial crushing of square tubes [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 1984, 2: 179-208

[8] SalehghaffariS, Rais-RohaniM, NajafiA. Analysis and optimization of externally stiffened crush tubes [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2011, 49: 397-408

[9] ChungT E, LeeY R, KimC S, KimH S. Design of aluminum space frame for crashworthiness improvement [J]. SAE Technical Paper, 1996

[10] AlexanderJ. An approximate analysis of the collapse of thin cylindrical shells under axial loading [J]. Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, 1960, 13: 10-15

[11] AbramowiczW, JonesN. Dynamic progressive buckling of circular and square tubes [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 1986, 4: 243-270

[12] GuillowS, LuG, GrzebietaR. Quasi-static axial compression of thin-walled circular aluminium tubes [J]. Int Journal of Mechanical Science, 2001, 43: 2103-2123

[13] MamalisA, ManolakosD, BaldoukasA, ViegelahnG. Energy dissipation and associated failure modes when axially loading polygonal thin-walled cylinders [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 1991, 12: 17-34

[14] AbramowiczW, JonesN. Dynamic axial crushing of square tubes [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 1984, 2: 179-208

[15] WierzbickiT, AbramowiczW. on the crushing mechanics of thin-walled structures [J]. J Applied Mechanics, 1983, 50: 727-734

[16] ChenW, WierzbickiT. Relative merits of single-cell, multi-cell and foam-filled thin-walled structures in energy absorption [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2001, 39: 287-306

[17] KimH S. New extruded multi-cell aluminum profile for maximum crash energy absorption and weight efficiency [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2002, 40: 311-327

[18] ZhangX, ChengG. A comparative study of energyabsorption characteristics of foam-filled andmulti-cell square columns [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2007, 34: 1739-1752

[19] Hosseini-TehraniP, PirmohammadS, GolmohammadiM. Study on the collapse of tapered tubes subjected to oblique loads [J]. Journal of Automobil-Engineering, 2008, 222(11): 2025-2039

[20] MamalisA G, JohnsonW. The quasi-static crumpling of thin-walled circular cylinders and frusta under axial compression [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 1983, 25(910): 713-732

[21] MamalisA G, JohnsonW, ViegelahnG L. The crumpling of steel thin walled tubes and frusta under axial compression at elevated stain rates: Some experimental results [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 1984, 26: 537-548

[22] MamalisA G, ManolakosD E, SaigalS, ViegelahnG I, JohnsonW. Extensional plastic collapse of thin-walled frusta as energy absorbers [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 1986, 28: 219-229

[23] MamalisA G, ManolakosD E, ViegelahnG L, VaxevanidisN M, JohnsonW. On the inextensional axial collapse of thin PVC conical shells [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 1986, 28(5): 323-335

[24] AlghamdiA A A. Reinversion of aluminium frustra [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2002, 40(12): 1037-1049

[25] AlghamdiA A A. Folding-crumpling of thin-walled aluminum frusta [J]. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2002, 7(1): 67-78

[26] AlghamdiA A A, AljawiA A N, Abu-MansourT M N. Modes of axial collapse of unconstrained capped frusta [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 2002, 44(6): 1145-1161

[27] NagelG M, ThambiratnamD P. A numerical study on the impact response and energy absorption of tapered thin-walled tubes [J]. International Journal of Mechanical Science, 2004, 46(2): 201-216

[28] NagelG M, ThambiratnamD P. Computer simulation and energy absorption of tapered thin-walled rectangular tubes [J]. Thin Walled Structure, 2005, 43(8): 1225-1242

[29] NagelG M, ThambiratnamD P. Dynamic simulation and energy absorption of tapered thin-walled tubes under oblique impact loading [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2006, 32(10): 1595-1620

[30] Hosseini-TehraniP, PirmohammadS. Crashworthiness improvement of longitudinal rail in vehicle structure [C]// 16th Int Conference on Mech Eng. Iran, 2008

[31] NegalG M, ThambiratnamD P. Dynamic simulation and energy absorption of tapered thin-walled tubes under oblique impact loading [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2006, 32(10): 1595-1620

[32] LangsethM, HopperstadO. Static and dynamic axial crushing of square thin-walled aluminum Crashworthiness of aluminum extrusions [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 1996, 18(78): 949-968