Axisymmetric progressive crushing of circular tubes

This paper presents further investigations into the axisymmetric progressive crushing behaviour of metal tubes subject to quasi-static axial loads. Based on experiments and a finite element analysis, a new, more realistic theoretical model is developed by introducing the concept of effective plastic hinge length which is proportional to tube thickness. The theoretical crushing force history, mean crushing force and plastic half-wavelength are compared with experiments and finite element analysis results. It is found that for normalized mean crushing force, P m / M o , better agreement is obtained using the present theoretical model than previous ones. This analysis helps explain the paradox between the D/t exponent calculated from experimental results and previous theoretical predictions. Also, a good estimate of plastic half-wavelength, h , is also obtained.

[1]  Taijiro Nonaka.  Some Interaction Effects in a Problem of Plastic Beam Dynamics—Part 1: Interaction Analysis of a Rigid, Perfectly Plastic Beam , 1967 .

[2]  Tongxi Yu,et al.  Dynamic Models for Structural Plasticity , 1993 .

[3]  W. Abramowicz,et al.  Alexander revisited—A two folding elements model of progressive crushing of tubes , 1992 .

[4]  S. Reid.  PLASTIC DEFORMATION MECHANISMS IN AXIALLY COMPRESSED METAL TUBES USED AS IMPACT ENERGY ABSORBERS , 1993 .

[5]  K.R.F. Andrews,et al.  Classification of the axial collapse of cylindrical tubes under quasi-static loading , 1983 .

[6]  Massimiliano Avalle,et al.  Strain field history during plastic progressive folding of aluminium circular tubes , 1997 .

[7]  J. M. Alexander.  AN APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THIN CYLINDRICAL SHELLS UNDER AXIAL LOADING , 1960 .

[8]  A. A. Singace,et al.  On the Eccentricity Factor in the Progressive Crushing of Tubes , 1995 .

[9]  Norman Jones,et al.  Dynamic axial crushing of circular tubes , 1984 .

[10]  Raphael H. Grzebieta,et al.  An alternative method for determining the behaviour of round stocky tubes subjected to an axial crush load , 1990 .

[11]  Stephen R Reid,et al.  Inertia-sensitive impact energy-absorbing structures part I: Effects of inertia and elasticity , 1995 .

[12]  C. L. Magee,et al.  Design Considerations in Energy Absorption by Structural Collapse , 1978 .

[13]  A. A. Singace,et al.  Further experimental investigation on the eccentricity factor in the progressive crushing of tubes , 1996 .

[14]  Norman Jones,et al.  Dynamic progressive buckling of circular and square tubes , 1986 .

[15]  G. Lu,et al.  Quasi-static axial compression of thin-walled circular aluminium tubes , 2001 .