Quasi static axial compression of empty and PU foam filled circular aluminium and light gauge square steel tubes

Abstract

Abstract For structural applications, Concrete Filled Steel Tubes (CFST) proved as efficient building material. Further study on composite filled tubes to increase strength to weight ratio is evident to improve material efficiency and reduce load on structure. In the recent years, investigations on impact resistance and energy absorption of foam filled thin walled Aluminium and Steel composite tubes have gained importance for mechanical and aerospace applications and also as crash barriers to improve its dynamic characteristics. These are made by metal tube envelopes filled with Polyurethane foam infill material. Present study is carried out to understand the strength and behaviour of PU Foam Filled Tubes for structural applications. This paper presents experimental work on Quasi Static Axial Compression Tests on Empty and PU Foam filled Circular Aluminium and Light Gauge Square Steel Tubes. For Aluminium Tubes, D/t of 40.20 and 30.15 and L/D of 3.32 and for Steel Tubes, b/t of 125, 100 and 83.33 and L/b of 2, 3 and 4 were considered. High density PU foam (of density 150 kg/m3) alone, Empty tubes and Polyurethane foam-filled tubes are tested for quasi-static axial compression experimentally and validated the results with numerical simulation using ABAQUS 6.14–3 software. The mean crushing loads of hollow and polyurethane foam-filled circular Aluminium and Square Steel tubes were calculated from FEM and experimental results. The experimental and numerical values are in agreement. This study reveals that due to composite action between tube and foam, the resistance to buckling has improved significantly when compared to empty tubes even for high L/D & L/b ratios.