Pre-stressed thin tubular composite energy absorbers for improved impact energy absorption

Abstract

The study proposes pre-stressing techniques as applied to CFRP based composite thin-walled tubes with the intent of increasing energy absorption capacity. The energy computations for the tube with and without pre-stressing are compared using finite element based methodology. The study reveals that the use of pre-stressing in the form of applied internal pressure for the tube induces forces in the direction opposite to that of impact which needs to be overcome when the actual impact happens. The study also demonstrates that the strain energy required for initiating the damage in the thin-walled tubes increases appreciably under the influence of pre-stress.