Investigating the crash-box-structure’s ability to absorb energy

Abstract

Protection under external loads often requires the use of energy absorbers. They are designed to absorb impact energy in a controlled way protecting the structures, as well as their possible occupants. This study examines the crushing performances of thin structures, made in sheet metal, as their shape and thickness vary. Three crash-box-structures were considered for their geometries (i.e. rectangular, rectangular with two inclined walls, and truncated pyramidal structures) with two variations in thicknesses (i.e. s = 1 and 2 mm). Their elastic-plastic behaviour under low-speed compression was analysed by experiments and simulations. The collision force reduction and energy absorption were compared. Based on outcomes a new absorber was developed and used for improving safety in the case of an innovative ultra-light solar racing vehicle.

Keywords:

• Crash-box-structure
• sacrificial bumper
• deformational behaviour
• buckling

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Prof. Giangiacomo Minak and Eng. Giacomo Orielli for their fundamental support to the experiments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).