Bending behavior of empty and foam-filled beams: Structural optimization

Bending crash tests on empty and foam-filled square aluminum beams have been performed. Furthermore, in order to find more details about crash processes, finite element simulations have been done. In terms of improving crash behavior of the aluminum beams, the crashworthiness optimization procedure has been applied to maximize specific energy absorption of the square beams with the target energy absorption. A comprehensive study about the strengthening effect of foam in the filled beam has been performed and finally the optimization technique has been implemented to find the optimum foam-filled beam that absorbs the same energy as optimum empty tubes with lower weight.