Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Combined Expansion Tube-Axial Splitting as Impact Energy Absorbers

Abstract

In this study, the combination of an expansion tube and a deformable rigid tube with axial splitting is developed as a new mechanism for use as an impact energy absorber. The impact absorbing structure consists of two circular tube forming dies, with each die allowing the tube to expand and to split. The latter is used to remove away radially the debris after expansion and splitting, so that the absorption process can continue without being obstructed by the debris itself. This paper presents the experimental and theoretical investigation of the combined expansion tube-axial splitting as an impact energy absorber. The experiment by the laboratory scale impact testing has been done with a variation of the parameters such as pipe thickness ([Formula: see text], angle of splitter ([Formula: see text], comparison of dies upgrading diameter ([Formula: see text] and inner pipe diameter ([Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]. The theoretical investigation is carried out with a literature study related to the mechanics of material and theoretical studies from previous research studies. The final result of this paper, i.e. a new formula proposed to calculate the mean load, is reflective of the study of a combined expansion tube with axial splitting. The difference between the results of analytical calculation and experiments is 10.13%.