Evaluation of Quasi-Static Axial Crushing Characteristics of Laterally Grooved Square Tube

Abstract

In this paper, the axial crushing behavior of square tubes with grooved surface are studied by using the finite element method. The grooved surface is a dominant factor that influences the deformation mode, and improves the energy absorbing capacity of the square tube. The numerical results show that the average stress of a grooved square tube is affected by the geometry and period of groove. The average stress of the grooved square tube, however, is the same without dependence on width when the geometry and the period of groove are identical. Furthermore, the analysis results of the model predict two modes, called the extensible mode and the inextensible mode, which depend on the aspect ratio. In addition, the average stress predicted by using a master curve and approximation equations for the simple square tube is found to agree well with the results of finite element method analysis.