Finite element simulation of the axial collapse of metallic thin-walled tubes with octagonal cross-section

Abstract The present paper deals with the implementation of the explicit FE Code LS-DYNA to simulate the crash behaviour and energy absorption characteristics of steel thin-walled tubes of octagonal cross-section subjected to axial loading. The collapse procedure is successfully simulated and the obtained numerical results are compared with actual experimental data from small-scale models and useful concluding remarks pertaining to the design requirements of the crushing process are drawn.