Title: FE modelling of ultralight foam-filled structures

Authors: S.A. Megukd, J.C. Stranart, J. Heyerman

Addresses: Engineering Mechanics and Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 Kings College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8. Engineering Mechanics and Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 Kings College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8. Engineering Mechanics and Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 Kings College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8

Abstract: In this paper, we present a method for modelling the quasi-static collapse of foam-filled ultralight aluminium structures using LS-DYNA. Three aspects of axial crushing of foam-filled structure were examined: the effect of foam density, wall thickness and width of the tube. An increase in the specific energy absorption of up to 37% was observed. An experimental study on the quasi-static crushing of empty and foam-filled box columns was also carried out in order to validate the finite element model.

Keywords: finite element; crashworthiness; aluminium foam.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2002.000297

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2002 Vol.15 No.4/5, pp.211-217

Published online: 15 Jul 2003 *

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