Geometrical discontinuities effects on lateral crushing and energy absorption of tubular structures

• This paper studies flattening of different tubular structures, experimentally.
• Discontinuities in notches forms were created on walls of the structures.
• Effects of various notches on the energy absorption of structures are investigated.
• Deformation modes of intact and notched samples are examined.
• The best positions for creation of notches on walls of specimens are introduced.

This research involves the experimental study of lateral flattening of tubular structures. Main goals are investigations of the effects of geometrical discontinuities on energy absorption characteristics of these structures and finding new ways for increasing the energy absorption capacities. Three groups of specimens were investigated: square and rectangular aluminum columns, circular brazen tubes and circular composite tubes where some notches of different lengths were created on various positions of them. The specimens were compressed between two rigid plates during a quasi-static process and their energy absorption parameters were calculated using the testing machine’s data. Experimental results show that numbers of notches on walls of the structures may increase or decrease their energy absorption capability, depending on the notches positions. Square columns with notches on up and down sides are cases in which the amounts of energy absorption are more than their corresponding intact specimens. In most of the specimens, notches lengths had reverse relation with their energy absorption. Behaviors of composite tubes under lateral compression loading are more sensitive to the notches lengths than the other specimens. By changing the notches positions on walls of the specimens, the deformation mode and consequently the energy absorption capability can be determined which is the case that is studied in this research.