Comprehensive study on the crashworthiness of a new developed axially-half corrugated aluminum tubes

In this paper, a parametric study has been conducted on aluminum tubes with axially half corrugations. These corrugated tubes have been known for their uniform force-displacement curves as well as their capacity to absorb more energy. To do so, first, the numerical results of 4 tubes have been validated using the results from the quasi-static experiment. Then, the effects of changing the geometrical characteristics have been looked into. The variable geometrical characteristics are number of corrugations and their lengths. Three different levels for the number of corrugations as well as three for lengths have been considered. Among the nine models achieved, some models were found with much more efficient energy absorption. Subsequently, the impact of utilizing corrugations at both ends of the tubes has been investigated as well. By this exploitation, a considerable surge has been seen in the amount of absorbed energy among tubes. In the end, in order to have one best model, complex proportional assessment has been employed (COPRAS), by which, under three circumstances, i.e. results from axial crushing, oblique crushing, and considering both results, the best tube was chosen.

Automated summary

This paper conducts a parametric study on aluminum tubes with axial half corrugations, and finds that changing the geometrical characteristics can improve the energy absorption of the tubes. Furthermore, applying corrugations at both ends of the tubes increases the absorbed energy. The best tube model is determined using complex proportional assessment.