A theoretical analysis on crush characteristics of corrugated tube under axial impact and experimental verification

• DOI: 10.1007/s40430-020-02593-y
• Publication Date: 2020-09-11T14:03:22Z
• Authors: Benyuan Fu; Changrong Liao; Lei Xie; Zhuqiang Li; Ruizhi Shu
• Keywords: Impact; Crashworthiness

In this paper, the crush characteristics of multilayer corrugated tube are theoretically investigated under axial impact loading conditions. The deformation process of corrugated tube during impact is divided into four stages: elastic stage, plastic stage, transitional stage and compact stage. Based on Kellogg model, a theoretical analysis is conducted for the four stages, respectively. Expressions of the four deformation forces with respect to crush displacement at different drop heights are deduced. Further, evaluation parameters for the energy absorption performance of corrugated tube, i.e., specific energy absorption, peak force, mean force, crush force efficiency and stroke efficiency are obtained and analyzed. Experiments at various drop heights are conducted in order to verify the theoretical analysis. The results show a good agreement between the experimental data and theoretical prediction, which indicates a helpful theoretical approach for the further understanding and development of corrugated tube under axial impact.