Abstract
In order to investigate the energy absorption characteristics of multi-cell polygonal tubes with different cross-sectional configurations, firstly, the theoretical formulae of the mean crushing force under axial load for four multi-cell polygonal tubes were derived by combining the Super Folding Element theory with Zhang’s research results. These formulae can be used to validate the numerical model and quickly evaluate the energy absorption ability of multi-cell polygonal tubes. Furthermore, a comparative study on the energy absorption performance of eight multi-cell polygonal tubes under axial and oblique loads was conducted. The results show that all tubes have a stable mixed deformation mode under axial load. The multi-cell decagon tube has better energy-absorption ability compared with other tubes. When θ is less than 10°, all the tubes maintain a stable deformation mode, and the multi-cell decagon tube also has the biggest crushing force efficiency and specific energy absorption among these eight tubes; meanwhile compared with the results at θ=0°, the specific energy absorption of all tubes decreases by about 8%–21%, while the crushing force efficiency increases by 20%–56%. However, at large angles 20° and 30°, all of the tubes collapse in bending modes and lose their effectiveness at energy absorption.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ALEXANDER J M. An approximate analysis of the collapse of thin cylindrical shells under axial loading [J]. Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, 1960, 13(1): 10–15.
ABRAMOWICZ W, JONES N. Dynamic axial crushing of circular tubes [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 1984, 2(3): 263–281.
WIERZBICKI T, ABRAMOWICZ W. On the crushing mechanics of thin-walled structures [J]. Journal of Applied Mechanics, 1983, 50: 727–739.
CHEN Wei-gang, WIERZBICKI T. Relative merits of single-cell, multi-cell and foam-filled thin-walled structures in energy absorption [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2001, 39(4): 287–306.
ZHANG Xiong, CHENG Geng-dong, ZHANG Hui. Theoretical prediction and numerical simulation of multi-cell square thin-walled structures [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2006, 44(11): 1185–1191.
QI Chang, YANG Shu, DONG Fang-liang. Crushing analysis and multiobjective crashworthiness optimization of tapered square tubes under oblique impact loading [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2012, 59(4): 103–119.
HONG Wu, FAN Hua-lin, XIA Zhi-cheng, JIN Feng-nian, ZHOU Qing. Axial crushing behaviors of multi-cell tubes with triangular lattices [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2014, 63(1): 106–117.
KASHANI M H, ALAVIJEH H S, AKBARSHAHI H, SHAKERI M. Bitubular square tubes with different arrangements under quasi-static axial compression loading [J]. Materials and Design, 2013, 51: 1095–1103.
GAO Guang-jun, DONG Hai-peng, TIAN Hong-qi. Collision performance of square tubes with diaphragms [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2014, 80(1): 167–177.
DONG Hai-peng, GAO Guang-jun, XIE Su-chao, LI Jian. Collision performance of bitubular tubes with diaphragms [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2015, 22(9): 3657–3665.
NIA A A, PARSAPOUR M. An investigation on the energy absorption characteristics of multi-cell square tubes [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2013, 68(10): 26–34.
ZHANG Xiong, CHENG Geng-dong. A comparative study of energy absorption characteristics of foam-filled and multi-cell square tubes [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2007, 34(11): 1739–1752.
NAJAFI A, RAIS-ROHANI M. Mechanics of axial plastic collapse in multi-cell, multi-corner crush tubes [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2011, 49(1): 1–12.
JUSUF A, DIRGANTARA T, GUNAWAN L, PUTRA I S. Crashworthiness analysis of multi-cell prismatic structures [J]. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2015, 78: 34–50.
QIU Na, GAO Yun-kai, FANG Jian-guang, FENG Zhao-xuan, SUN Guang-yong, LI Qing. Crashworthiness analysis and design of multi-cell hexagonal columns under multiple loading cases [J]. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 2015, 104: 89–101.
HAN D C, PARK S H. Collapse behavior of square thin-walled columns subjected to oblique loads [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 1999, 35(3): 167–184.
SONG Jie, GUO Feng-lin. A comparative study on the windowed and multi-cell square tubes under axial and oblique loading [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2013, 66(3): 9–14.
FANG Jian-guang, GAO Yun-kai, SUN Guang-yong, QIU Na, LI Qing. On design of multi-cell tubes under axial and oblique impact loads [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2015, 95: 115–126.
GOEL M D. Deformation, energy absorption and crushing behavior of single-, double- and multi-wall foam filled square and circular tubes [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2015, 90: 1–11.
ZHANG Zong-hua, LIU Shu-tian. Crashworthiness of dynamical axial crushing of polygonal thin-walled tubes [C]// SAE-C2007. Tianjin, China, 2007: 437–443.
ZHANG Xiong, ZHANG Hui. Energy absorption of multi-cell stub columns under axial compression [J]. Thin-Walled Structures, 2013, 68: 156–163.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation item: Projects(U1334208, 51405516, 51275532) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Projects(2015zzts210, 2016zzts331) supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zou, X., Gao, Gj., Zhang, J. et al. A comparative crashworthiness analysis of multi-cell polygonal tubes under axial and oblique loads. J. Cent. South Univ. 24, 2198–2208 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-017-3628-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-017-3628-0