A study on maximization of dynamic crushing energy absorption of square tubes with and without stiffener

The axial impact crushing behavior of square tubes with and without stiffeners are studied by Finite Element method, and comparisons of mean axial crushing force between numerical solutions and theoretical prediction as well as qualitative comparisons of folding patterns between numerical simulations and experimental observations are made and discussed. Based on the numerical analyses, maximization problems of dynamic crushing energy absorption of square tubes with and without stiffeners, respectively, are solved using the crashworthiness maximization technique for tubular structures which combined the techniques of design-of-experiment, response surface approximation as well as usual mathematical programming. In addition, the energy absorbing capability of cylindrical tubes and square tubes with and without stiffeners are also compared.