Energy Absorption Behavior of Graphite Epoxy Composite Sine Webs

Abstract

The static energy absorption behavior of graphite epoxy composite corrugated (sine wave) webs loaded in axial compression is reported in this paper. Tests have been conducted to study the effects of various geometric parameters of the web specimen including width and gross thickness. The importance of the failure initiator and its effect on energy absorption are described along with other observed energy absorption trends. Comparisons are made with published tube specimen behavior where appropriate. The existence of a stability boundary within which efficient crushing occurs is shown in the case of gross thickness variation of the web.

Development of Standardized Test Techniques for Materials that are Capable of Reducing Injuries during Stairway Falls

“…Some effects of the types of initiators and the shapes of walls on the specific energy absorption capabilities have been studied by Hanagud, Sriram, Craig and Zhou [1989]. Other similar studies and discussions can be seen in Cronkhite and Berry [ 19821, Thornton [ 19791, Farley [ 19831, Kindervater [ 19831, and Hanagud and Schrage [1986].…”

Finite element modelling of crash response of composite aerospace sub-floor structures

“…It is important that the cruciform does not form a structural hard point, so the tapered geometry of the brackets is designed to introduce the load gradually, thus avoiding a high initial peak force. The beams possess a sine-wave geometry, which has been shown to promote crushing rather than buckling (Hanagud et al, 1989). The materials in the beams consist of central layers of stiff, brittle, unidirectional carbon/epoxies for high energy absorption, together with outer layers of tougher hybrid aramid/carbon/epoxy fabrics, which help maintain structural integrity and avoid catastrophic failure.…”

Parametric analysis of composite sinusoidal specimens under quasi-static crushing

“…Corrugation increases the stability of vertical web, thereby increasing its crippling strength, and enables floor beams to carry higher design loads. The corrugated geometry promotes stable crushing and significant energy absorption during the crash events by reducing the likelihood of macroscopic buckling (39) . Ren et al conducted numerical investigations to evaluate the influence of stacking sequence, progressive damage model, trigger geometry on energy absorption characteristics of fabric and unidirectional composite sinusoidal plates (44,45) .…”