Numerical and Experimental Investigations on the Expansion Tube Energy Absorber

Abstract:

Expansion tube energy absorber is of interest in bumper device on the spacecraft, for example the seat-bumper and its crushing characteristics have shown an excellent performance. This paper contributes to the analysis and investigation of the crushing characteristics of the expansion tube energy absorber, by simulating the response of the 2Al2T4 expansion tube subjected to quasi-static axial compressive loading, using the LS-DYNA finite element code. Corresponding tests were conducted to serve as comparison purpose. Satisfactory level of agreement between simulation and testing results was obtained regarding the main characteristics of the tested expansion tubes such as peak compressive load, energy absorption and the overall compressive response. Formula of the crushing force deduced using plastic mechanic theory was checked. Impact model was also constructed and dynamic simulations were performed to investigate the axial impact response of the expansion tube energy absorber. The simulation results of quasi-static and dynamic compression response of the expansion tube are very similar.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 190-191)
• Pages: 115-120
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.190-191.115
• Online since: July 2012
• Authors: He Mao, Chang Jie Luo, Kai He, Ruxu Du
• Keywords: Crashworthiness, Dynamic Finite Element Simulation, Energy Absorption, Expansion Tube, Quasi-Static Finite Element Simulation

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