Abstract
The design and development of impact attenuation systems which dissipate kinetic energy in a controlled manner has received much attention in recent years, particularly in relation to the safety of vehicles. This paper provides a survey of the properties and characteristics of one particular component, a circular metal tube under lateral compression. The first part of the paper is concerned with the quasi-static compression of single tubes by flat plates and by concentrated loads for a variety of support geometries. The range of load-deflection curves and modes of deformation are described and the relationship between single tube response and the behaviour of tube systems is discussed. Theoretical models are presented which assist in the design of systems. In the second part attention is directed towards effects produced when tubes are loaded dynamically. The influences of material strain-rate sensitivity and system inertia in changing the quasi-static characteristics are discussed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | LATERALLY COMPRESSED METAL TUBES AS IMPACT ENERGY ABSORBERS. |
Editors | Norman Jones, Tomasz Wierzbicki |
Publisher | Elsevier Applied Science Publ |
Pages | 1-43 |
Number of pages | 43 |
ISBN (Print) | 0408013087 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 1983 |