Analytical model of circular tube with wide external circumferential grooves under axial crushing

摘要

As an energy absorber, circular tube with wide external circumferential grooves has excellent mechanical properties, and it has been defined as 'Type B' grooved tube. In the present work, a novel analytical model of 'Type B' grooved tube is proposed by considering the curvature of plastic hinge. In addition, the fitting equation of the maximum angular displacement of a thin-walled section is obtained. The theoretical methodology indicated that both the total energy absorption and mean crushing force depend on the geometric ratiosR/handh/t. Based on axisymmetric assumption, a numerical model is established and the corresponding results are validated by a previous research. The theoretical and simulation results of total energy absorption and mean crushing force are compared with research results of previous studies. The conclusion shows that the present analytical model is more accurate to predict the energy absorption and mean crushing force of 'Type B' grooved tube under quasi-static condition. The energy absorption performance of 'Type B' grooved tube under quasi-static crushing can be improved by designing the thin-walled section as a stocky shape. Moreover, the model can also predict the response of 'Type B' grooved tube under dynamic condition when the strain rate sensitivity of material is introduced.