Experimental study on dynamic response of 6082-T6 aluminum alloy circular tubes under lateral low-velocity impact loading

Abstract

Aluminum alloy components have been increasingly used in spatial structures in recent years for their advantages of high strength to mass ratio, great corrosion resistance, and low environmental pollution. In this study, impact tests on the 6082-T6 aluminum tube with circular hollow section were carried out to reveal its dynamic response under lateral impact loading, considering the accidental impact or terrorist attack that the aluminum alloy spatial structures may suffer. Four failure modes were observed from the test results, including “three plastic hinges” mode, crack at the impact position, crack at the support, and fracture at the support. The impact process was divided into four stages for the aluminum tubes without fracture: initial collision, coupling deformation, global deformation, and elastic recovery stages. Meanwhile, three stages including initial collision, coupling deformation, and failure stages were identified for the fractured tubes. The impact force, displacement, and surface strain were recorded and discussed in detail. Moreover, the impact energy transmitted to the aluminum tube was calculated based on the test results to investigate the energy absorption process of the tube under lateral impact loading. Finally, the influence of geometric parameter (section size and span of the tube), impact energy (initial impact velocity and hammer weight), impact position, and hammer shape on the dynamic behavior of the aluminum tube under lateral impact loading was analyzed based on the impact test results.