Finite element modelling of axially crushed silk/epoxy composite square tubes

The conditions of test obtained experimentally were simulated using Dytran a non-linear finite element explicit analysis software implemented to the simulation since this mimics the characteristics of the behaviour of the crashworthiness. Results from the finite element analysis were validated against the experimental results and a good agreement between two approaches was observed i.e. the average errors of total absorbed energy (Etotal) (6.1%) and crush force efficiency (CFE) (9%) were obtained. The simulation depicted catastrophic failures similar to experimental results i.e. local buckling and mid length buckling failure in the specimens in the resulting geometries. This agreement builds confidence in the future use of non-linear finite element for the design of silk/epoxy composite structure subjected to crash loading in energy-absorbing applications such as in the automotive as well as in the aircraft industries.