Abstract
The effect of transverse impact on buckling behavior of a column under axial impact loading is numerically investigated by finite element analysis. A column under an axial impact was subjected to a transverse impact to reduce its structural stiffness instantaneously. The transverse impact generates buckling with low critical load and improves energy absorption. The transverse impact has a significant effect on inducing plastic buckling. The results show that the transverse impact applied almost simultaneously with axial impact gives highest energy absorption. The simulation results prove the experimental ones qualitatively and show that the energy absorption of column is improved without reducing column stiffness beforehand.
