The static and dynamic axial collapse of fibreglass composite automotive frame rails

Abstract An automotive frame rail of hourglass cross-section, made of a glass fibre/ vinylester composite, was designed for use in the apron construction of the car in order to obtain a high degree of crashworthiness at this location of the car body. The crashworthy behaviour of this structural component in axial compression at various strain rates (head-on collision) was studied experimentally. The modes of collapse at macroscopic scale, the microscopic fracture patterns and the energy absorbing capability of such rail beams were examined and discussed. A theoretical analysis of the collapse mechanism of the components tested under axial compression is proposed leading to a good approximation of the energy absorbed during crushing.