Experimental studies on the quasi-static axial crushing of steel columns filled with aluminium foam

Experimental investigations are carried out in order to study the effects o f different tube and filler arrangements on the crushing behaviour of axial ly compressed tubular crush elements. To this end quasistatic experiments a re performed on monotubal and bitubal, empty and filled steel profiles with different materials, dimensions and cross-sectional shapes. Aluminium foam , produced by a powder metallurgical production process, is applied as fill er material. The test results confirm that considerable mass efficiency imp rovements with respect to energy absorption may be obtained, even if reduce d stroke lengths, caused by the presence of foam, are taken into account. D istinct differences are pointed out between the different cross-sectional s hapes. Bitubal arrangements, consisting of outer and inner profiles with fo am in between, are shown to be particularly efficient crush elements, as lo ng as global failure can be avoided, Explanations for the experimental obse rvations are obtained by a simplified analysis of interaction effects, Cons traints concerning the appropriate choice of Al-foam densities are summariz ed, too, in order to provide an aid for the future design of 'optimally tun ed' crush elements composed of tubular members and Al-foam. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.