Experimental analysis of energy absorption capability of thin-walled composite cylindrical shells by quasi-static axial crushing test

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2018-04, Vol.125, p.259-268
• Main Authors: Hosseini, Seyed Morteza, Shariati, Mahmoud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Axial Crushing; Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Specific energy absorption; Taguchi statistical analysis
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2018.01.026

The energy absorption capability of thin-walled composite cylindrical shells is experimentally investigated. Effects of six parameters on absorption energy of composite shells are studied. These parameters including three geometric parameters of inner diameter, length and shell thickness and the other three parameters are layer orientation, reinforcing fibers and manufacturing process. The design of experiment was accomplished by applying Taguchi method and the axial crushing test was conducted on shells. The resulting data was statistically analyzed which led to the ranking of the six parameters and an optimized structure based on the selected parameters was proposed. Finally, different kinds of complicated failure modes controlling absorption capacity were studied. In addition, effects of the six mentioned parameters on both stable and unstable crushing modes of shells were investigated. It is found that a good correspondence exists between statistical analysis results and crushing collapse mechanisms in experimental analysis results, which both of the analysis are accorded to specific energy absorption. •The experimental method is used to investigate the energy absorption capability of thin-walled composite shells.•Six parameters were opted to study their effects on absorption energy of composite shells.•The design of experiment was accomplished by Taguchi method and axial Crushing tests were conducted on shells.•The resulting data was statistically analyzed which led to ranking the six parameters and proposing an optimized structure based on the selected parameters.•Different kinds of complicated failure modes controlling absorption capacity were studied.•It is found that a good correspondence exists between statistical analysis results and crushing collapse mechanisms in experimental analysis results, which both of the analysis are accorded to specific energy absorption.