Collapse Mechanism of the Buffer Bow Structure on Axial Crushing

摘要

The purpose of this study is to obtain experimental data on the crushing of the buffer bulbous bow, especially to investigate the collapse mechanism of buffer bulbous bow structure. A series of experiments in quasi-static conditions was carried out on large-scale bulbous bow models of a conical shape and simplified cross-section. Two kinds of transversely stiffened models—a buffer bow and a longitudinally stiffened model as a conventional bow—were axially collapsed by a rigid board. The load-displacement curve, mean crushing strength as well as the total energy absorption capability were investigated. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and simplified analysis were conducted to compare with the experimental results. As a result, the basic collapse mechanism of the buffer bulbous bow was clarified in comparison with the longitudinally stiffened one. Further, the accuracy of simplified analysis in estimating mean crushing force was validated by comparison with experimental results.