Crushing of energy absorption connectors with polyurethane foam and asymmetric pleated plates: Fid-Bau Portal

Crushing of energy absorption connectors with polyurethane foam and asymmetric pleated plates

Wang, Yonghui / Lu, Jingyi / Zhai, Ximei / Xue, Bowen

Abstract In this paper, the dynamic crushing responses of polyurethane foam-filled energy absorption connectors with asymmetric pleated plates were studied through drop-weight impact tests and FE simulations, from which three deformation stages were identified according to the formation and rotation of plastic hinges of asymmetric pleated plates. The effects of polyurethane foam filler as well as thickness and geometric parameter k of pleated plate on the energy absorption characteristics of connectors were analyzed quantitatively. The results indicated that filling polyurethane foam and increasing parameter k could result in higher energy absorption and specific energy absorption. In addition, thicker pleated plate could also increase energy absorption and crushing force. The results also showed that filling polyurethane foam and decreasing parameter k could reduce the peak force before densification and thus, improving crush force efficiency. Moreover, a theoretical model, considering strain rate effects of polyurethane foam and steel, was also proposed to predict energy absorption–displacement relationships of the polyurethane foam-filled connectors subjected to impact loading and its correctness was validated by comparing the calculations with experimental results.

Highlights • The novel energy absorption connector with polyurethane foam and asymmetric pleated plates is proposed. • The energy absorbing connectors were tested under drop-weight impact loading. • The energy absorption performances of the proposed connectors are quantitatively evaluated. • Finite element models were established to simulate the connectors under impact loading. • The analytical model considering strain rate effects of steel and polyurethane foam was developed.