Effect of Interlayer Fracture Characteristics for Axial Crush of FRP Tube

Abstract

When a compressive load is applied to a Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) tube, a continuous fracture phenomenon called “progressive crushing” which shows highly effective energy absorption appears. The purpose of the study is to clarify the relationship between fracture toughness value and crack propagation characteristic changes and fracture mode. The authors have constructed a flat plate FEM model that can reproduce the process up to progressive crushing. In the study, the difference in fracture form due to fracture toughness values, and crack propagation characteristics under the condition with the same energy release rate was considered by using the model. Furthermore, a designing guideline to increase the energy absorption of the FRP tube was derived.