Analytical modelling of the static and dynamic axial collapse of thin-walled fibreglass composite conical shells

A theoretical analysis of the observed stable collapse mechanism of thin-walled circular frusta and tubes, crushed under axial static and/or dynamic loading, for calculating crushing loads and the energy absorbed during collapse, is reported. The analysis is based on experimental observations regarding the energy-absorbing collapse mechanisms developed during the crushing process. The proposed theoretical model was experimentally verified and proved to be very efficient for theoretically predicting the energy-absorbing capability of the conical shells.