Dynamic Analysis of Thin-Walled Columns with Arbitrary Section Geometry Subjected to Axial Crushing

Abstract

In a frontal collision of an automobile, side members are the most important factor for occupant protection. When the side members collapse axially, they absorb large amount of crash energy enough to avoid the deformation of compartments. To promote the axial collapse without bending, beads are generally provided on the side member. But it is very difficult to find the effective position of beading on the members because the relation between the buckling wave and the beads cannot be seen clearly in a bending crash mode. In this study, we show an analytical method of beading on the side members along the buckling mode calculated by a finite element analysis.