Crushing analysis and numerical optimization of angle element structures under axial impact loading

In this paper, theoretical expressions of the mean crushing force of the three different square multi-cell tubes were derived by applying the Simplified Super Folding Element (SSFE) theory. The profiles of three square multi-cell tubes were divided into several basic angle elements: right corner, T-shape, 3-panel, criss-cross, and 4-panel angle element. Numerical simulations and multi-objective crashworthiness optimization were also performed for the three tubes. A Pareto sets were obtained by the linear weighted average method. Deb and Gupta method was utilized to find out knee points from the Pareto frontiers for multi-cell tubes. The simulation results showed that the multi-cell tube type I with right corner, T-shape and criss-cross angle elements was the best one among the three tubes in the aspect of specific energy absorption (SEA). For all the tubes, the stable and progressive folding deformation patterns were developed. Finally, the theoretical predictions well coincided with the numerical results, and also validated the efficiency of the numerical optimization design method. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.