Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading
Automotive bumper beam is a vital component that shields passenger and vehicle from harm and damage generated by catastrophic collapse. Previous investigations on its bending behavior have largely concentrated on multi-cell tubes with the same length, whereas stepped multi-cell structures have recei...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2024-03-01
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Series: | Advances in Mechanical Engineering |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132241239312 |
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author | Zhichao Li Shunan Hu Yongbao Yang Haimin Zhu |
author_facet | Zhichao Li Shunan Hu Yongbao Yang Haimin Zhu |
author_sort | Zhichao Li |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Automotive bumper beam is a vital component that shields passenger and vehicle from harm and damage generated by catastrophic collapse. Previous investigations on its bending behavior have largely concentrated on multi-cell tubes with the same length, whereas stepped multi-cell structures have received less attention. In this paper, a novel stepped multi-cell configuration is proposed to improve the energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled structures under transverse loading. The finite element method is employed to analyze the crushing behaviors of the stepped multi-cell tubes. The numerical results reveal that the stepped multi-cell structures (SM2 to SM5) can reduce the initial peak force by 23.44–45.91% while increasing the energy absorption capacity, crush load efficiency, and specific energy absorption by 5.87–29.51, 38.29–139.45, and 5.87–29.51%, respectively, when compared to a conventional square tube (M1). In addition, the effects of wall thickness, section width, load angle, punch radius, and punch shape on the bending behaviors and energy absorption characteristics are examined. The results indicate that these factors have a considerable influence on the deformation features of M1 and SM2, which leads to a significant reduction in their bending energy absorption characteristics. These variables have no influence on the deformation modes of SM3, SM4, and SM5, and they present local indentation deformation with a high energy absorption efficiency. Increasing the number of layers improves the comprehensive performance of stepped multi-cell tubes, with SM5 exhibiting the best energy absorption characteristics under transverse loading. |
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institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1687-8140 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:21:53Z |
publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
publisher | SAGE Publishing |
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series | Advances in Mechanical Engineering |
spelling | doaj.art-6fff75c5862b4d1fb92ea2a9488c02d82024-03-25T18:03:34ZengSAGE PublishingAdvances in Mechanical Engineering1687-81402024-03-011610.1177/16878132241239312Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loadingZhichao Li0Shunan Hu1Yongbao Yang2Haimin Zhu3School of Automotive Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu, ChinaSchool of Automotive Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu, ChinaChina National Heavy Duty Truck Group Company, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Automotive Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu, ChinaAutomotive bumper beam is a vital component that shields passenger and vehicle from harm and damage generated by catastrophic collapse. Previous investigations on its bending behavior have largely concentrated on multi-cell tubes with the same length, whereas stepped multi-cell structures have received less attention. In this paper, a novel stepped multi-cell configuration is proposed to improve the energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled structures under transverse loading. The finite element method is employed to analyze the crushing behaviors of the stepped multi-cell tubes. The numerical results reveal that the stepped multi-cell structures (SM2 to SM5) can reduce the initial peak force by 23.44–45.91% while increasing the energy absorption capacity, crush load efficiency, and specific energy absorption by 5.87–29.51, 38.29–139.45, and 5.87–29.51%, respectively, when compared to a conventional square tube (M1). In addition, the effects of wall thickness, section width, load angle, punch radius, and punch shape on the bending behaviors and energy absorption characteristics are examined. The results indicate that these factors have a considerable influence on the deformation features of M1 and SM2, which leads to a significant reduction in their bending energy absorption characteristics. These variables have no influence on the deformation modes of SM3, SM4, and SM5, and they present local indentation deformation with a high energy absorption efficiency. Increasing the number of layers improves the comprehensive performance of stepped multi-cell tubes, with SM5 exhibiting the best energy absorption characteristics under transverse loading.https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132241239312 |
spellingShingle | Zhichao Li Shunan Hu Yongbao Yang Haimin Zhu Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading Advances in Mechanical Engineering |
title | Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
title_full | Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
title_fullStr | Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
title_full_unstemmed | Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
title_short | Energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi-cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
title_sort | energy absorption characteristics of stepped multi cell columns subjected to transverse loading |
url | https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132241239312 |
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