Damage and energy absorption behavior of CFRP/aluminum hybrid open-section thin-walled columns subjected to quasi-static loading

Abstract

In this study, the damage and energy absorption behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)/aluminum (Al) hybrid open-section thin-walled columns were explored. The results showed that hybrid columns exhibited tremendous merits for the energy absorption. The CFRP-Al columns could absorb 61.21 % and 44.11 % more energy than the corresponding single CFRP columns and the single Al columns with the same thickness, respectively. Furthermore, the specific energy absorption (SEA) of CFRP-Al columns was 16.29 % and 85.06 % higher than that of the corresponding single CFRP columns and the single Al columns. However, different configurations of hybrid columns underwent various damage and failure processes. In addition to Al-CFRP columns, the open-section thin-walled structure exhibited a positive hybrid interaction effect, which dissipated 45.6 % of the total energy absorption. The Al inner layer absorbed a large amount of energy by inducing the CFRP to undergo large deformation and progressive damage, thus, the CFRP-Al columns and CFRP-Al-CFRP columns dissipated more energy and had a higher energy absorption efficiency. Concurrently, the energy absorption behavior of the hybrid column could be changed by different proportions of 45° layers. The present research on damage and energy absorption mechanisms provides some guidance for the lightweight and crashworthiness design of hybrid open-section thin-walled columns.