Energy absorption properties of non-convex multi-corner thin-walled columns

In this paper, we proposed a strategy to improve energy absorption efficiency of thin-walled columns by introducing extra non-convex corners in the cross section. Several profiles of non-convex multi-corner thin-walled columns obtained through this strategy are presented and their energy absorption capacities under axial crush are investigated analytically and numerically. Explicit formulations for predicting the mean crushing force of non-convex multi-corner thin-walled columns are derived based on the theory of Super Folding Element method, and the predicting results of these formulations have good agreement with the numerical simulation performed by explicit non-linear finite element method. The comparisons of the non-convex columns with square column show that the non-convex multi-corner thin-walled columns have higher energy absorption capacity.

► A strategy to improve energy absorption of thin-walled columns has been proposed.
► Non-convex multi-corner columns have been developed.
► Energy absorption properties of new columns have been investigated numerically.
► Theoretical prediction of the mean crushing force consists of numerical result.