Investigation of Energy Absorption and Deformation of Conical Thin-Walled Tubes under Axial Loading

In this research, through carrying out experimental tests and finite element simulation, the crushing method of empty and foam-filled thin-walled structures under the influence of axial, Quasi-static loading has been compared. In experimental study, the conical samples are made through spinning method. These samples are compressed between two rigid plates under quasi-static loading conditions, and then the collapse mechanism, the crushing force fluctuations and absorbed energy are calculated. Simulation of tested specimens has been executed by ABAQUS software in 3- dimensional models and through explicit method. The comparison of numerical and experimental results showed that the present model provides an appropriate procedure to determine the collapse mechanism and load-compression curve. The validated finite element model was then used for the parametric studies, in order to determine the effect of the empty and filler tube geometry parameters (i.e. semi-apical angle, foam density, wall thickness) and loading parameters (i.e. impact mass and impact velocity) on the energy absorption and factor crushing load ) .(