The energy absorption control characteristics of Al thin-walled tube under quasi-static axial compression

Crushing energy should sufficiently be absorbed in order to secure the protections of passengers in a car accident. There have been a lot of studies on the crushing energy absorption of a basic structure in automobiles. In this paper, the purpose concerns the crashworthiness of the widely used vehicle structure, square thin-walled tubes, which are excellent on the point of the energy absorbing capacity. An experimental investigation was carried out to study the energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled square tubes subjected to quasi-static axial loading to develop the optimum structural members. Notch shapes and structure modification applied to structural design have nowadays been used to keep up the efficiency of energy absorption. Such ideas may result in the reduction of structural stiffness and buckling or collapse can easily be done in collision. The controller is introduced to improve and control the absorbed energy of thin-walled square tubes in this paper. To predict and control the energy absorption, controller is designed in consideration to its influence such as height, thickness, width ratio, in this study. The absorption energy and mean collapse force of square tubes was increased by 15-20% in using the controller and energy absorbing capability of the specimen was slightly changed by change of the high controller's height. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.