Effects of preform structure on progressive crush characteristics of flange-stiffened tubular elements

摘要

Processes such as 'resin transfer molding' (RTM) give the composites designer the ability to efficiently tailor materials and structural response for applications such as crash energy management. In this study, a total of 12 different preforms making up a tube-stiffened beam structural element were tested in progressive crush. Carbon, Kevlar, glass and needle leis fabric materials were used as reinforcements, both by themselves and as hybrids. Results arc compared on the basis of a number of load- and energy-related metrics. A hybrid Kevlar-carbon structure is shown to present the best characteristics with an average SEA of 71.95 kJ/kg, achieved through synergistic crush response of the tubes and flanges. Differences in crush response are elucidated and crush mechanisms based on architecture are discussed.