Energy absorption of thin-walled tubes with pre-folded origami patterns: Numerical simulation and experimental verification

•Two different origami patterns were introduced to circular tubes.•New designs have reduced initial peak force and enhanced energy absorption capacity.•The designs were validated by experiments on brass tubes fabricated by 3D printing.

Thin-walled tubes are widely used as energy absorption components. In this study, two different origami patterns were introduced to circular tubes. The influence of the origami patterns on the energy absorption capacity and the deformation mechanism of tubes under uniaxial loading were investigated both numerically and experimentally. The results showed that the initial peak force of origami tubes would be significantly reduced, while the energy absorption capacity could be improved or maintained. Brass tubes with and without origami patterns were fabricated using 3D printing and were tested to validate the finite element models.