Axial crushing of grooved thin-walled tubes using experiments and finite element simulation

In this research, axial crushing of grooved thin-walled steel tubes with different geometric dimensions has been investigated by carrying out experiments and finite element simulation. The crushing manner, load-displacement curves and initial crushing load have been studied. The simulations have been performed by ABAQUS 6.7 software in 3-D model and explicit method. Grooves were modeled circumferentially and alternately inside and outside the tubes. Quasi-static axial load was applied. The results obtained from experiments and simulations are in a good agreement. Results demonstrate that crushing manner and initial crushing load in axial crushing of grooved thin-walled tubes could be controlled by introducing different groove distances.