Relative merits of single-cell, multi-cell and foam-filled thin-walled structures in energy absorption

The axial crushing of hollow multi-cell columns were studied analytically a nd numerically. A theoretical solution for the mean crushing force of multi -cell sections were derived, and the solution was shown to compare very wel l with the numerical predictions. Numerical studies were also carried out o n foam-filled double-cell and triple-cell columns. Based upon the numerical results, closed-form solutions were derived to calculate the mean crushing strength of these sections. It was found that the interaction effects betw een the foam core and the column wall contribute to the total crushing resi stance by the amounts equal to 140% and 180% of the direct foam resistance for double cell and triple cell respectively. Finally, the relative merits of single-cell, multi-cell and foam-filled sections were discussed. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.