An experimental study on performance of jute-polyester composite tubes under axial and transverse impact loading

The efficacy of woven jute-polyester (JP) composite tubes as structural energy-absorbing countermeasures has been explored in the current study. In this connection, the behaviors of 3-ply and 4-ply JP composite tubes of square and double-hat shaped sections subjected to axial quasi-static and impact loads are considered, and compared with 4-ply glass-polyester (GP) tubes of similar geometric configurations. Initially, basic mechanical characterization of JP laminates is carried out using a Universal Testing Machine, which is followed up with axial quasi-static and drop-weight impact testing of JP tubes, along with similar tests carried out on GP tubes. A thorough comparison is made between the performances including failure patterns of JP and GP components under axial loading using metrics such as peak load, mean crush load, absorbed energy, and specific energy absorption (SEA). As many structural applications involve dynamic bending loads, a comparative study is carried out between double-hat JP and GP components subjected to transverse impact loading. Based on the competitive values of mean load and SEA yielded by jute-composite tubes in the present study for axial impact loading, and high mean load and moderate energy absorption till failure recorded by similar components under three-point impact bending, it can be concluded that JP tubes can be capable of supporting impact loads under both axial and bending modes.