Finite element study of energy absorption in corrugated beams

Abstract

This work is focused on the finite element study of the energy absorbing behavior of aluminum (corrugated webs). The aim is to study the mechanism of energy absorption in specific metallic structures by understanding these mechanisms. The sine wave web (or corrugated web) structural component constructed of aluminum has been chosen as the specific structural element for this study. The sine wave exhibits similar energy-absorption trend as tubes, but it represents a more realistic and efficient configuration directly usable in design when compared to tube elements. The principal objectives are, (1) to perform an eigen value analysis of the sine wave web, a parametric study of the corrugated beam is done by varying the wavelength, amplitude and young’s modulus of the corrugated web and calculate the buckling load, and (2) comparison of the buckling load from the finite element analysis with that of the eigen value analysis and the energy absorption predicted from the finite element study. The static energy absorption behavior of the sine wave webs loaded in axial compression is investigated experimentally in the experimental study of Crash-Impact Behavior of Aluminum Sine Wave Webs. Tests are conducted to study the effect of geometric parameter i.e. the included angle on the energy absorption of the corrugated web as reported in the experimental study of Crash-Impact Behavior of Aluminum Sine Wave Webs. A finite element model for the energy absorption in the sine wave web is developed by assigning aluminum properties to the sine wave web model. The included angle of the web is varied and the energy absorption is observed for the different included angles. The crash-impact behavior of the sine wave web is studied by calculating the energy absorption analytically from the finite element study. Some important conclusions are pointed out as a result of this investigation.