Influences of foam filler on axially crushing characteristics of fiber-reinforced tapered structures

Abstract

An effective solving method is presented to study influences of foam filler on axially crushing characteristics of fiber-reinforced tapered square metal tubes based on axial collapse models of foam-filled metal square tubes and finite element calculation of foam-filled tapered composite square tubes. By means of finite element calculation, an influenced factor [Formula: see text] is introduced in the solving process. Comparing results from experiment and finite element calculation, the feasibility of the present analytical method is validated. The effects of basic angle of composite tapered square tube, foam filler, fiber-reinforced orientation, thickness ratio between metal wall and fiber layer and loading speed on axially crushing characteristics of foam-filled fiber-reinforced composite tapered square tubes are studied.