Theoretical prediction model of mean crushing force of CFRP‐Al hybrid circular tubes under axial compression

Abstract

AbstractThe CFRP‐Al hybrid thin‐walled structure combines the dual advantages of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and metal, which is one of the crucial methods for both lightweight and high strength. This study aimed to explore the theoretical prediction of the mean crushing force of the hybrid tubes with different winding angles subjected to axial compression. In order to construct the theoretical model of the hybrid structural energy absorption response, the failure modes, and deformative behavior of the hybrid tubes are analyzed and summarized based on the axial compression experiments. Considering the effects of winding angles on the energy dissipation and deformation characteristic of hybrid circular tubes, the expressions of membrane force and bending energy per unit length are obtained. Then, the analytical model is established to predict the mean crushing force of the CFRP‐Al hybrid circular tube. Furthermore, the results of the prediction model are compared according to different failure criteria of composite materials. The findings show that the predicted values of the maximum stress failure are more consistent with the experimental values, in which the discrepancy between analytically predicted and experimentally tested mean crushing forces of these hybrid tubes is no more than 10%. The results can provide a basis for the design of the composite‐metal hybrid thin‐walled tube.