The Effects of Crushing Speed on the Energy-Absorption Capability of Composite Tubes

Abstract

The energy-absorption capability as a function of crushing speed was determined for Thornel 300-Fiberite 934 (Gr-E) and Kevlar-49-Fiberite 934 (K-E) composite material. Circular cross section tube specimens were crushed at speeds ranging from 0.01 m/sec to 12 m/sec. Ply orientations of the tube specimens were [0/± θ]₂ and [± θ]₂ where θ = 15, 45, and 75 degrees. Based upon the results of these tests the energy-absorption capability of Gr-E and K-E was determined to be a function of crushing speed. The magnitude of the effects of crushing speed on energy-absorption capability was determined to be a function of the mechanisms that control the crushing process. The effects of crushing speed on the energy-absorption capability is related to whether the mechanical response of the crushing mechanism that controls the crushing process is a function of strain rate. Energy-absorption capability of Gr-E and K-E tubes ranged between 0 and 35 percent and 20 and 45 percent, respectively depending upon ply orientation. The crushing modes based upon exterior appearance of the crushed tubes were unchanged as a result of changing crushing speed for either material. However, the interlaminar crushing behavior of the Gr-E specimens changed with crushing speed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Thornton, P. H. 1979. “Energy Absorption in Composite Structures”, Journal of Composite Materials, pp. 248–262.

2. Thornton, P. H. and P. J. Edwards . 1982. “Energy Absorption in Composite Tubes”, Journal of Composite Materials, pp. 521–545.

3. Thornton, P. H. , J. J. Harwood and P. Beardmore . 1985. “Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Composites for Energy Absorption Purposes”, Composite Science and Technology, pp. 275–298.

4. Hull, D. 1982. “Energy Absorption of Composite Materials under Crash Conditions”, Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Composite Materials, T. Hayashi , K. Kawata and S. Umekawa , eds., Japan Society for Composite Materials, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 861–870.

5. Hull, D. 1983. “Research on Composite Materials at Liverpool University, Part 2: Absorbing Composite Materials”, Physics Technology, pp. 99–112.

6. Berry, J. and D. Hull . 1984. “Effect of Speed on Progressive Crushing of Epoxy-Glass Cloth Tubes”, Proceedings of the Institute Physics Conference, Series No. 70, pp. 463–470.

7. Fairfull, A. H. and D. Hull . 1987. “Effects of Specimen Dimensions on the Specific Energy Absorption of Fibre Composite Tubes”, Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Composite Materials, F. L. Matthews , N. C. R. Buskell , J. M. Hodgkinson and J. Morton , eds., London, UK: Elsevier Applied Science, pp. 3.36–3.45.

8. Kindervater, C. M. 1981. “Quasi-Static and Dynamic Crashing of Energy Absorbing Materials and Structural Components with the Aim of Improving Helicopter Crashwrthiness”, Proceedings of the Seventh European Rotorcraft and Powered lift Aircraft Formum, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Federal Republic of Germany.

9. Kindervater, C. M. 1983. “Energy Absorbing Qualities of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Tubes”, Proceedings of the AIIS National Specialist Meeting on Composite Materials for Helicopters. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

10.

10. Bannerman, D. C. and C. M. Kindervater . 1983. “Crash Impact Behavior of Simulated Composite and Aluminum Fuselage Elements”, Proceedings of the Ninth European Rotorcraft Forum, Stresa. Italy.

11.

11. Bannerman, D. C. and C. M. Kindervater . 1983. “Crash Energy Absorption Properties of Composite Structural Elements”, Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference SAMPE European Chapter, Bordeaux, France, pp. 155–167.

12.

12. Bannerman, D. C and C. M. Kindervater . 1984. “Crashworthiness Investigation of Composite Aircraft Subfloor Beam Sections”, Proceedings of the International Structural Impact and Crashworthiness Conference, J. Morton , ed., London, UK: Elsevier Applied Science, pp. 710–722.

13.

13. Kindervater, C. M. 1985. “Crash Impact Behavior and Energy Absorbing Capability of Composite Structural Elements”, Proceedings of the 30th National SAMPE Symposium. Anaheim, California.

14.

14. Kindervater, C. M. 1985. “Compression and Crush Energy Absorption Behavior of Composite Laminates”, Proceedings of the EIMRS Conference. Strasbourg, Federal Republic of Germany.

15.

15. Sen, J. K. 1984. “Designing for a Crashwonhy All-Composite Helicopter Fuselage”, Proceedings of the 40th AHS Forum, Arlington, Virginia, pp. 123–134.

16.

16. Votaw, M. W. and J. K. Sen. 1984. “A Systems Approach for Designing a Crashwonhy Helicopter Using Program KRASH”, AIAA-84–2448, San Diego, California.

17.

17. Sen, J. K. and C C. Dremann . 1985. “Design Development Tests for Composite Crashwonhy Helicopter Fuselage”, SAMPE Quarterly, pp. 29–39.

18.

18. Sen, J. K. 1987. “Designing for a Crashwonhy All-Composite Helicopter Fuselage.” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, pp. 56–66.

19.

19. Farley, G. L. 1983. “Energy Absorption of Composite Materials”, Journal of Composite Materials, pp. 267–279.

20.

20. Farley. G. L. 1986. “Effect of Fiber and Matrix Maximum Strain on the Energy Absorption of Composite Materials”, Journal of Composite Materials, pp. 322–334.

21.

21. Farley, G. L. , R. K. Bird and J. T. Modlin . 1986. “The Role of Fiber and Matrix in Crash Energy Absorption of Composite Materials”, Proceedings of the AHS National Specialists' Meeting on Crashworthy Design of Rotorcraft, Atlanta, Georgia.

22.

22. Farley, G. L. 1986. “Effect of Specimen Geometry on the Energy-Absorption Capability of Composite Materials”, Journal of Composite Materials (July):390–400.

23.

23. Farley, G. L. 1987. “Energy Absorption Capability and Scabbility of Square Cross Section Composite Tube Specimens”, NASA TM 89087.

24.

24. Farley, G. L. 1986. “Crash Energy Absorbing Composite Sub-Floor Structure”, Presented at the 27th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference.

25.

25. Farley, G. L. 1987. “A Method of Predicting the Energy-Absorption Capability of Composite Sub-Floor Beams, NASA TM 89088.

26.

26. Farley, G. L. and R. M. Jones. 1989. “Energy-Absorption Capability of Composite Tubes and Beams, NASA TM 101634.

27.

27. Schmueser, D. W. and L. E. Wickliffe . 1987. “Impact Energy Absorption of Continuous Fiber Composite Tubes” Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 109: 72–77.