Deformation behavior of axially compressed aluminum polygonal tube

Aluminum tubes are efficient energy absorbing components and are widely used as framework and reinforcement members of structures. This paper deals with the influence of the axial length, cross-sectional shape and reinforcing rib on a dynamic axially compressed aluminum polygonal tube in order to obtain basic data on buckling. The axial impact test of an aluminum square tube was carried out with a drop-hammer testing machine. The dynamic deformation process of a polygonal tube was analyzed by a finite element method. The specimen used in this analysis is an aluminum polygonal tube (square, hexagonal, octagonal and decagonal). The result shows that even when the axial length was changed, there was no difference in the trend of the compressive load-time curve in each cross-sectional shape. The trend of the compressive load-time curve was affected by the reinforcing ribs. The buckling was generated partially in each axial length and cross-sectional shape. In the case of a square tube without ribs, the deformation shape was concave-convex in adjoining surfaces, and crushed in a bellows-like manner. As for the deformation shape, the experimental results approximately agreed with those of the finite element method analysis.