Experimental study of corrugated tubes under lateral loading

Abstract

Thin-walled tubes are widely used as energy absorbers in various vehicles and moving parts. The objective of this study is to investigate the energy absorption characteristics of tubes with corrugations in different geometries, under lateral loading. In order to produce corrugations, an innovative solution is introduced. Quasi-static tests were conducted to study the effect of changing the corrugation geometry (type and amplitude). The results show that tubes with corrugations have a higher mean crushing force which is directly proportional to the number of corrugations and their amplitudes. Moreover, it was observed that corrugated tubes can absorb approximately four times more energy than the tubes without corrugations in the same sizes and weights. Finally, it was found that corrugated tubes are more effective in lateral direction as energy absorbers, as they present suitable force–deflection responses.