• Energy Research

AbstractThe effect of inducing circular holes into aluminum wrapped with glass/epoxy (Al/GFRP) pipes was investigated. Intact and holed specimens were evaluated in quasi-static axial compression after being constructed using the wet wrapping procedure. The effect of the induced holes' parameters i.e., hole diameter (d), number of holes (n), the hole position to specimen height ratio (L/H), on the crashworthiness of Al/GFRP structures was investigated. Results indicated that the existence of the cutouts visibly affects the values of crushing parameters. Increasing (d) remarkably reduces the total absorbed energy (U) and enhances the crushing force efficiency (CFE) of Al/GFRP pipes. Introducing two holes in two opposite faces with keeping their location constant reduces initial peak crush force $${(\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{ip}})$$ ( F ip ) , mean crush force $${(\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{m}})$$ ( F m ) , and U of Al/GFRP pipes but increases CFE. As the hole location goes to the lower edge of the pipe i.e., L/H increases, U obviously increases. The specimens with 4 mm holes in one side at medium height and specimens with 12 mm holes on one side at L/H = 0.8 had the best crushing parameters, respectively. The adequate design of the induced cutouts in thin-walled constructions is valuable to enhance the crashworthy performance of engineering structures.

AbstractThe present paper experimentally explores the influence of the fiber hybridization and layering sequence on crashworthiness behavior and deformation history of polymer/metal thin-walled pipes. Jute (J)/glass (G) reinforced epoxy over wrapped aluminum (Al) pipes were prepared via hand wet wrapping then subjected to axial quasi-static compressive loads. The load versus displacement plots and crashing indicators, i.e. peak crushing load ($${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{ip}}$$ F ip ), mean crushing load ($${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{m}}$$ F m ), total energy absorption ($$\mathrm{U})$$ U ) , specific energy absorption $$\left(\mathrm{SEA}\right)$$ SEA , and crush force efficiency $$\left(\mathrm{CFE}\right)$$ CFE were determined. Experimental results revealed that the maximum $$\left(\mathrm{SEA}\right)$$ SEA was recorded for Al/2J/4G/2J pipe with a value of about 42.92 kJ/g, with an enhancement of 20.56% in $$\left(\mathrm{SEA}\right)$$ SEA compared with pure Al-pipes. Al/2J/4G/2J specimens display the maximum ($$\mathrm{U})$$ U ) , $$\left(\mathrm{SEA}\right)$$ SEA , and $$\left(\mathrm{CFE}\right)$$ CFE and could be employed as energy absorbing members in automobiles.