Experimental Study On Thin-walled Grooved Tubes As An Energy Absorption Device

Abstract

Axial crushing behavior and crashworthiness characteristics of thin-walled steel tubes containing annular grooves are experimentally studied. The grooves determine the position of the folds and control the buckling mode of deformation. The aims are improving the uniformity of the load-displacement behavior and predicting energy absorption capacity of the tubes. Grooves are cut circumferentially and alternately inside and outside the tubes at predetermined intervals. Quasi-static axial crushing tests are performed with different groove distances. Photographs are taken during axial buckling and the specimens after crushing are sectioned axially to carry out the measurements. The deformation modes and load-displacement curves are described and energy absorption and mean post-buckling load are determined. In almost all the specimens the convolutions are achieved by folding in an axisyrnmetric concertina mode about circumferential grooves. The results show that the load-displacement curves and the energy absorbed by the axial crushing of the tubes could be controlled by changing the distances between the grooves. It is also found that grooves can stabilize the deformation and thus grooved tubes are good candidates for controllable energy absorption element.