Numerical Analysis of Collapse of Polyurethane Foam Filled Composite Tubes Under Pressure Loading at Different Speeds

Abstract

Thin-walled energy-absorbing elements in compressive loading are widely used in the transportation industry, especially in automobile manufacturing, airplane manufacturing, and urban and intercity train construction. As a new idea, coaxial double-tube energy absorbers are used in this research. The execution method is based on simulation in ABAQUS explicit finite elements software. Based on the validated model, a parametric analysis has been carried out in order to extract the effect of structure thickness, loading angle and density of polyurethane foam on the amount of energy absorption. Examining the deformed geometry of the sample after loading, the dynamic loading coefficient and the effect of the load angle on the maximum value of the structure collapse to the initial length is one of the topics that has been taken into consideration. In the end, according to the design goals, which include the maximum amount of energy absorption, the lowest amount of initial maximum force and the lowest weight of the structure, the optimization process of the design variables, using the optimization algorithm and formulation of multiple goals and with the help of finite element software data, has been completed.

Keywords

• foam
• thin walled structure
• plastic deformation
• optimization algorithm