Controlling the Energy Absorption Capability of a Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Tube Using a Double-Sided Plug

Abstract

Quasi-static and dynamic crush tests of a unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) circular tube were performed, and its energy absorption capability was controlled using a doublesided plug. It was revealed in the quasi-static crush test that its energy absorption capability was controlled significantly from 8 to 178 kJ/kg by changing the curvature of the plug. The range of energy absorption covers almost all types of CFRP tube reported in the literature. A dynamic crush test up to 55 km/h was then performed by drop weight impact tests. The energy absorption capability of the CFRP tube in the dynamic crush test was very similar to that in the quasi-static crush test. A simple design concept of energy absorption for a CFRP tube, using the double-sided plug, was proposed.

Crash Performance of Inward-Inverting Composite Tubes Filled with Foam: Experimentation and Simulation

“…Heimbs et al [21] presented a method wherein a composite column was cut into strips by a special machine under an axial load. Similarly, Ueda et al [22] proposed a trigger with a double-sided plug, and Tong et al [23] proposed a chamfer trigger, which guides an external flap of the composite tube. In the abovementioned studies, the crushed debris was spread out across the tube.…”