Application of foam-filled conical tubes in enhancing the crashworthiness performance of vehicle protective structures

Abstract

This paper treats the feasibility of including a supplementary energy-absorbing device in the form of foam-filled conical tubes onto vehicular protective structures to enhance their energy absorbing capacity and hence to enhance safety for the occupants during accidental impacts. The effect of the supplementary energy absorber device was investigated for varying values of the wall thickness of the tube and the foam density of the filler. Research findings have shown the inclusion of this supplementary energy-absorbing device to be a cost-effective and beneficial solution, which promoted an enhanced level of occupant safety by enhancing the energy absorption, reducing the amount of plastic deformation sustained by the protective structure as well as reducing the severity of the peak decelerations transferred to the occupant compartment during such an event.