Effect of triggering on the energy absorption capacity of axially compressed aluminum tubes

Abstract

The energy absorption performance of extruded aluminum tubing for space frames was evaluated using computer-simulated compressive tests and quasi-static compressive deformation tests. An experimental deformation test and its simulation were conducted for seven extruded tube specimens on which various types of triggering dents were introduced, and the test data were investigated via observation of deformation mode, maximum repulsive force, and absorbed energy. The results indicated that the computer simulation results correlated well with the compressive deformation mode, indicating that the simulation was useful for the evaluation of absorbed energy. When triggering dents were introduced at the folding sites pre-estimated by the computer simulation, energy absorption could be improved, and the half-dented specimens absorbed more effectively than the full-dented specimens. On the other hand, when triggering dents of the same interval were introduced without consideration of the peak location of the folding wave, inhomogeneous deformation, together with overall bending, occurred, and deteriorated energy absorption because energies in bending were not as effectively absorbed as on folding. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.