Frusta structure designing to improve quasi-static axial crushing performances of triangular tubes

Abstract

To improve quasi-static axial crushing performances of thin-wallled triangular tubes, frusta structures were designed and fabricated. Quasi-static axial compression experiments were carried out to reveal the collapse mode and energy absorption characteristic of the triangular frusta tube. Peak loads and mean crushing forces (MCFs) of tubes with different taper angles were compared. In-extensible and extensible collapse modes were suggested to predict the MCF of the triangular frusta tube with small and great taper angles, respectively. A new collapse mode, inward folding, was observed in the experiments. An energy absorption stability factor was defined to evaluate the anti-crushing efficiency of the triangular frusta tube. With greater taper angles, the energy absorption stability factor is much closer to 1, denoting more stable deformation style. It is concluded that frusta structures with taper angles effectively enhance the anti-crushing efficiency and stability of thin-walled triangular tubes.

Crashworthy design and energy absorption mechanisms for helicopter structures: A systematic literature review

“…Similarly, the deformation mode of square tubes could be classified into the extensional mode, inextensional mode, asymmetric mixed mode and non-compact crushing mode [51]. The triangular tubes were also studied in literature [52][53][54], however, the energy absorption capacity of the triangular tubes was the worst of all the tubes owing to the minimum corners [55]. Furthermore, some other novel tubes were proposed to improved mechanical properties.…”

Experiment Study of Effect of Apex Angle of Taper Round Tube Under Quasi Static Axial Crushing on Energy Absorption

“…They found that Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tube with winding angle of 25°have the highest SEA. Hong et al 2016 [14] researched that the mean crushing force decreasing when the taper angle is increasing and when taper angles get larger and larger the energy absorption stability factor is close to 1. Yang et al 2016 [15] stated that the crushing force is not only depends on the thickness of the fibre layer but it also dependent on the fibre orientation.…”

Energy absorption of thin-walled circular tubes with gradient thickness under oblique loads

“…They found that the length-to-thickness ratio and the diameter-to-thickness ratio had important influences on the deformation mode of the metallic tube. As for the tube cross-section, attentions were paid to different cross-sectional shapes such as circular, 5 square, 6,7 triangular, 8 hexagonal, 9,10 octagonal, 11 etc. Among them, circular tubes have attracted most attention because of its strong energy absorption capability and ease of manufacturing.…”