Abstract Thin walled multi-cell columns are highly efficient energy absorbers under axial compressions. Multi-cell features are usually obtained by placing stiffeners or ribs to get the required geometry features in the columns. In this study, the curved stiffeners with varying numbers in different configurations are used to support the circular single and bi-tubular metallic tubes and their shape, position and number effects are numerically investigated under dynamic axial crushing loads. Number of configurations can be classified by the number of tube/tubes and curved stiffened shells. This study can be divided in three parts; single tubes with cross-curved stiffeners with equal number of cells, single tubes with curved stiffened wall supports with ascending number of stiffeners, and bi-tubular tubes with ascending cross-curved stiffeners. The mass in each configuration is maintained as same by adjusting the thicknesses of the stiffeners. Energy absorption for all of the configurations are compared with published experimental literature of standard single tube and single tube with cross-straight stiffeners. Deformation modes and energy absorption characteristics are evaluated and discussed for all of the proposed configurations. Results indicate that the proposed configurations with curvy stiffeners are superior in energy absorption with increased mean crushing force and enhanced energy absorption along with a high value of crush force efficiency in comparison with the refernce configurations. Bi-tubular configurations with curvy stiffeners show a more stabalized response with the lowest peak crushing force in all of the proposed configurations.

Abstract Thin walled multi-cell columns are highly efficient energy absorbers under axial compressions. Multi-cell features are usually obtained by placing stiffeners or ribs to get the required geometry features in the columns. In this study, the curved stiffeners with varying numbers in different configurations are used to support the circular single and bi-tubular metallic tubes and their shape, position and number effects are numerically investigated under dynamic axial crushing loads. Number of configurations can be classified by the number of tube/tubes and curved stiffened shells. This study can be divided in three parts; single tubes with cross-curved stiffeners with equal number of cells, single tubes with curved stiffened wall supports with ascending number of stiffeners, and bi-tubular tubes with ascending cross-curved stiffeners. The mass in each configuration is maintained as same by adjusting the thicknesses of the stiffeners. Energy absorption for all of the configurations are compared with published experimental literature of standard single tube and single tube with cross-straight stiffeners. Deformation modes and energy absorption characteristics are evaluated and discussed for all of the proposed configurations. Results indicate that the proposed configurations with curvy stiffeners are superior in energy absorption with increased mean crushing force and enhanced energy absorption along with a high value of crush force efficiency in comparison with the refernce configurations. Bi-tubular configurations with curvy stiffeners show a more stabalized response with the lowest peak crushing force in all of the proposed configurations.

Abstract State-of-the art studies of impact crushing circular stepped tube (inversion tube) introduce various approaches to improve the energy absorption capacities. Adding external longitudinal stiffeners on the circular stepped tubes is a new approach that have a great effect and interest. In the current study, finite element analysis using (LS-DYNA/WORKBENCH ANSYS) is performed on a series of numerical models of aluminum circular stepped tubes that are externally stiffened by a constant number of longitudinal stiffeners distributed around the cross section of the circular stepped tube. The numerical models are implemented under an axial impact crushing scenario. Furthermore, a new improved formula for prediction of steady inversion load is proposed. The theoretical predictions are found to be in good agreement with the numerical results with an error within 12%. A comparative study is conducted to compare the energy absorption characteristics and inversion mechanism between the newly proposed tubes and the conventional stepped tube. The results showed that addition of external longitudinal stiffeners on circular stepped tubes could imply greatest improvement for the energy absorption up to 104%, specific energy absorption capability (energy absorption per unit mass) up to 54.9%, the crush force efficiency up to 40.3% and increase the inversion stroke length in comparison with the unstiffened circular stepped tubes. A newfound role of external longitudinal stiffeners added to the stepped tubes that controls the inversion and deformation mechanism is presented.