Crashworthiness analysis of multi-cell prismatic structures

• Dynamic axial impact study of multi-cell columns is presented.
• Impact response of multi-cell columns is compared to single- and double-walled columns.
• Parametric numerical study on multi-cell columns validated by experiment is conducted.
• Mean crushing force of middle rib multi-cell columns are the highest.
• Internal ribs can improve energy absorption efficiency of double-walled columns.

This paper presents a numerical and experimental study of several configurations of multi-cell columns compared to single-walled and double-walled columns subjected to dynamic axial impact forces. The impact of the columns was numerically analysed using FEM and also verified by experimental testing. The effect of the column mass and thickness of the multi-cell columns compared to single- and double-walled columns was also studied. The results showed that, by analysing a group of columns with the same thickness and weight, the energy absorption efficiency can be significantly improved by introducing internal ribs to the double-walled columns. The results showed that the crushing force of the middle ribs (MR) multi-cell columns was the highest, followed by the corner ribs (CR) multi-cell columns, the double-walled (DW) columns and the single-walled (SW) columns, respectively.