Energy Absorption Analysis of aluminum Filled Foam Tube Under Axial Load using Finite Element Method with Cross Section Variations.

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to determine the effect of the use of aluminum-filled foam tubes on crash boxes and the effect of cross-sectional variations in the use of aluminum-filled foam tubes on crash boxes. There are several parameters to determine crashworthiness performances such as energy absorption and deformation. Test specimens used are single walled (SW), single walled foam filled (SWFF), and double walled foam filled (DWFF), where DWFF is varied into 4 different wall thicknesses. All models have validated with experiment data from relevant reference and it evident that there are good agreement between simulation and experiment results. Tubes are impacted by rigid wall as impactor with velocity 0.4 m/s. From the simulation results, it was concluded that the aluminum crushbox construction added with aluminum foam is able to absorb more energy, where the recommended thickness is neither too thin nor too thick. Tube of DWFF 3 has energy absorption of 11.911 Joule, however the highest of deformation value is 178.66 mm for SWFF.