Theoretical analysis for axial crushing behaviour of aluminium foam-filled hat sections

A theoretical analysis was performed to predict the crushing behaviour of aluminium foam-filled single hat and double hat sections subjected to axial compression. The experimental results and superfolding element theory were used to create deformation models for the aluminium foam contained in the hat sections, and several assumptions were made for the theoretical analysis. According to the energy method and superfolding elements theory, the mean crushing force and the interactive effect were theoretically predicted for the axial compression of the aluminium foam-filled hat sections. The final formula specified the relationship between the mechanical characteristics of the aluminum foam and the height of the superfolding element. The mean crush forces and the interactive effect predicted by the theoretical analysis were in good agreement with the experimental results. The theoretical prediction results showed that the interactive effect was mainly from the aluminium foam. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.