Energy absorption capacity of composite thin-wall circular tubes under axial crushing with different trigger initiations

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the ability of various composite structures to dissipate the energy generated during a crash. To this end, circular composite tubes were tested in compression in order to identify their behavior and determine their absorbing capabilities using the specific energy absorption (energy absorbed per unit weight). Several composite tubular structures with different materials and architectures were tested, including hybrid composition of carbon–aramid and hybrid configuration of 0/90 UD with woven or braided fabric. Several inventive and experimental trigger systems have been tested to try and enhance the absorption capabilities of the tested structures. Specific energy absorption values up to 140 kJ.kg−1 were obtained, achieving better than most instances from the literature, reaching around 80 kJ.kg−1. Specimens with 0°-oriented fibers coincidental with the direction of compression reached the highest specific energy absorption values while those with no fiber oriented in this direction performed poorly. Moreover, it has consequently been established that in quasi-static loading, a unidirectional laminate oriented at 0° and stabilized by woven plies strongly meets the expectations in terms of energy dissipation. Incidentally, an inner constrained containment is more effective in most cases, reducing the initial peak load without drastically reducing the specific energy absorption value.

Crashworthiness of poplar wood veneer tubes

“…sequence [49] (Fig. 18) and can reach 227 J/g in presence of PEEK resin with a tube 55 mm in diameter and 2.66 mm thick [50].…”

Assessing the current modelling approach for predicting the crashworthiness of Formula One composite structures

“…Chambe et al [23] showed that for tubular CFRP coupons, outward splaying of the entire laminate results in a decrease in crush efficiency (up to 20% when compared to symmetric splaying), since inward splaying plies would offer more energy absorption due to the friction between the fronds that form. The crushing load responses of the three tested SISs are presented in Figure 20b.…”

“…round tube [13][14][15][16], square tube [11,17,18], double hat [19]) geometries, for a variety of unidirectional (UD), 2D, and 3D woven and braided architectures. The effects of different triggers [5,7,20,21] and plug initiators [22,23] on the development of different failure mechanisms have also been extensively investigated. Conflicting results have been reported on the effects of dynamic crushing on the Specific Energy Absorption (SEA) of materials.…”

Effects of dynamics and trigger on energy absorption of composite tubes during axial crushing

“…To account for repeatability, tube specimens were tested at least 3 to 5 times on average for each sample and each configuration. More details on experimental testing conditions and results can be found in a companion paper (see [50]).…”