Improving the crashworthiness of circular tube energy absorber by introducing different Gaussian curvatures on surface

Abstract

Thin-walled tubes are widely used as energy absorbers in automobile vehicles to protect the occupants during a collision. Unfortunately, too high detrimental initial peak force (IPF) generated while tube crushing causes high risk and damage to the vehicle occupants. Hence, the design of such a device is vital for achieving high energy absorption (EA) with reduced peak force. Introducing a Gaussian curvature on the tube’s wall is an efficient technique to minimize the initial peak crush force. In this connection, a new structural design solution for cylindrical tubes with different Gaussian profiles (Zero, Positive, and Negative) has been proposed to improve energy absorption characteristics with reduced peak crush force. Initially, zero Gaussian curvature tubes (simple cylindrical tubes) are numerically analyzed and validated through experimental findings to prove the efficiency of the proposed numerical model. Subsequently, positive and negative Gaussian curved tubes were analyzed numerically. Their IPCF and EA were evaluated and compared. IPCF of positive and negative curvature tubes was reduced by 20–50% and 5–10%, respectively compared to zero curvature tubes. Since the proposed tube structures are of considerable potential, they can be employed as protective systems in place of conventional tubes in vehicles.