THE STATIC AND DYNAMIC AXIAL CRUMBLING OF THIN-WALLED FIBERGLASS COMPOSITE SQUARE TUBES

In the present paper we report on the behaviour and crashworthiness ch aracteristics of square composite tubes subjected to static and dynami c axial compression exerted by a hydraulic press and a drop-hammer, re spectively. The effect of specimen geometry, i.e. of thickness and axi al length, and of the loading rate on the energy absorbing capability are studied in detail. Attention is directed towards the mechanics of the axial crumbling process from macroscopic and microscopic point of view for facilitating engineering design calculations of the amount of energy dissipated and for a somewhat more complete aspect on the actu al fracture mechanism during the failure of the composite material tes ted. A theoretical analysis of the collapse mechanism of the component s tested under axial compression is proposed, leading to a good approx imation of the energy absorbed during crushing. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scie nce Limited.