Theoretical and experimental study of a compact energy absorption structure

Abstract

The advancement of rail transportation necessitates energy absorption structures that not only ensure safety but also optimize space utilization, a critical yet often overlooked aspect in existing designs. This study presents a compact energy absorption structure (CE) that integrates the advantages of cutting rings and thin-walled tube modules, offering a solution with the high space utilization and the superior crashworthiness. Through theoretical modeling and experimental validation using a drop-weight test system, we analyzed the dynamic response and energy absorption characteristics of the CE. Comparative analysis with existing structures, namely the cutting shear rings (CSR) energy absorption structure and thin-walled tube structure (TW), revealed that the CE significantly improves specific energy absorption (SEA) by 102.76% and 61.54%, respectively, and optimizes crush force efficiency (CFE) by increasing 8.23% and 5.49% compared to CSR and TW. The innovative design of the CE, featuring deformation gradient and delay response strategies, showcases its potential for practical application in engineering, advancing the field of crashworthiness engineering.

Keywords

energy absorption structure / drop-weight test / impact dynamics / specific energy absorption / crush force efficiency

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Central South University