Key Performance Indicators of Tubes and Foam-Filled Tubes Used as Energy Absorbers

摘要

Based on a systematic investigation on the experimental, theoretical and numerical results on various tubes under axial compression/impact including our own tests, a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for assessing and comparing the energy absorbing performance of tubular structures with various configurations is proposed, so as to guide the design of energy absorbers whilst to facilitate parameter optimization. The five KPIs proposed on the basis of mechanical analyses are effective stroke ratio (ESR), nondimensional load-carrying capacity (NLC), specific energy absorption (SEA), effectiveness of energy absorption (EEA) and undulation of load-carrying capacity (ULC). Moreover, by considering the influence of foam filling, these five KPIs are also modified and extended to the foam-filled tubes.