The objective of the research reported in this paper is to compare the effects of crush initiators, different in shape and size, on the first peak load and on the collapse mechanism of aluminium thin-walled columns. To design effective crush initiators, numerical simulations, using the finite element explicit code DYNA3D, have been performed. A square cross section tube of 80x80 mm and 2 mm thickness was considered. The most efficient solutions have been submitted to experimental validation by quasi-static axial compression tests. The obtained results can improve the design of the vehicle structure components devoted to passive safety, limiting the effect of large deceleration values on the vehicle structure and on the occupants without reducing the global energy absorption capability of the components. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116488.
Abstract