CFRP cylindrical tubes equipped with thin-walled semi-circular lateral corrugated inner stiffeners subjected to quasi-static latitudinal impact

Abstract

Recently, versatile tubes with different cross-sectional cores have been suggested to reduce impact failures of protective structures. One method for improving cylindrical tube bending stiffness is using thin-walled corrugated cores. This paper investigates the effects of using semi-circular lateral corrugated stiffeners on the elastic behaviors of the CFRP cylindrical tubes subjected to quasi-static latitudinal impact. Based on suggested bending characteristics, analytical equations of elastic behaviors for the cylindrical tube equipped with a semi-circular lateral corrugated core have been derived. The equations are considered for the CFRP tubes stiffened with 4, 6, 8, and 12 semi-circular lateral corrugated waves. Obtained strain results conducted from low-velocity FEM analysis and impact experiments employing the GOM DIC software verified the derived equations with more than 82% accuracy. Additionally, it is found that the CFRP tube stiffened with a four-wave lateral corrugated core displays a positive impact failure of 74% compared to the non-stiffened tube.