Energy Absorption Capability of Thin-Walled Structures with Various Cross Sections Under Oblique Crash

During a real crash phenomenon, collision may happen at various angles. Investigation of characteristics of each cross section is vital for crashworthiness enhancement of the impact structures. This study illustrates how the crashworthiness of the structure correlates with the oblique collision angle, from θ = 0° to 15°, for various circumferential cross section shapes. The effects of cross section shape of thin-walled impact structure on energy absorption mechanism of the structure was investigated considering oblique collision angle. Obtained results certify that in square and hexagonal sections, energy absorption is usually decreasing with increasing the collision angle. With increasing the number of sides of a polygonal section to octagonal and circular shapes, progressive plastic buckling is the dominant failure mode, and thus energy absorption ability is increased at most collision angles and showed a more stable and robust trend for different oblique collision angles.