Crushing analysis of splitting–bending steel plate energy absorber under axial loading

Abstract

The splitting and bending behaviour of steel plates was used as energy absorber in our previous work. Two experiments with 9mm steel plates were carried out. The finite element models presented in this study are based on experimental tests and good agreement is achieved between the experimental and finite element results. Through the observation of the results of numerical simulation, the typical deformation process and variations of the stress triaxiality of the elements are presented. The parametric study was performed using finite element models under quasi-static loading conditions. It was found that the plate thickness, die angle, width of the die and the distance between the steel plate and the baffle have a distinct effect on the energy absorption. The outcome of this parametric study was full and detailed design guidelines for such energy-absorbing structures. The effect of the velocity was investigated and the result shows that under dynamic loading the deformation of the steel plates is similar to the quasi-static loading, and the steady state force increased as the impact velocity increased. With a bigger angle, the increase of the steady state force is larger.