An analytical model for axial crushing of a thin-walled cylindrical shell with a hollow foam core

A thin-walled tube filled with light-weighted foam has wide engineering applications because of its excellent energy absorption capacity. When the structure is axially crushed, the interaction between the tube and foam core plays an important role in its energy absorption performance. Previous theoretical studies so far have largely been concerned with fully in-filled tubes. In this paper, a theoretical model is proposed to predict the axi-symmetric crushing behaviour of such structures but with a partial infill. Using a modified model for shell and considering the volume reduction for the foam core, the mean crushing force is predicted by the energy balance. The proposed formula agrees well with previous results reported in literature. A parametric study is carried out to examine the contribution of foam core plateau stress (σf), amount of filling and shell's radius-to-thickness ratio (R/h) on the axial crushing behaviour of the structure. This study can give valuable design guidelines in using thin-walled structures as an energy absorber.

► An analytical model for axi-symmetric crushing of thin-walled tubes with an infill.
► Average crushing force for tubes with foam core.
► Interaction between the tube and foam core.
► Effect of foam core, the extent of filling and shell's radius-to-thickness ratio.