Multi-response optimization of crashworthy performance of perforated thin walled tubes

Abstract

It is advised to add cuts as circular holes to constructions’ walls for technical requirements such as the assembly and to reduce the weight. Since these induced cutouts have a substantial influence on crashworthiness and failure mechanisms, the size, location, and number of these cutouts should be carefully selected for energy absorption components. This research concentrates on the optimization of process parameters for the crushing performance of perforated thin-walled glass/epoxy (GFRP) square tubes. Taguchi model was adapted to formulate the design of the experiment while desirability function analysis (DFA) was used for process parameters optimization in terms of crashworthiness indicators. Test specimens were fabricated via wet warping by hand lay-up technique and tested under quasi-static axial crushing. Finally, the specimen yielding the optimum process parameter combination was compared with the intact sample. GFRP samples with circular holes exhibit optimum initial peak force ( ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{i}\mathrm{p}}$ ) and total absorbed energy $\left(\mathrm{U}\right)$ with values of 38.35 and 4.47 % which are smaller than those of the intact samples. On contrary, the optimum specific absorbed energy $\left(\mathrm{S}\mathrm{E}\mathrm{A}\right)$ and crush force efficiency ( $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{F}\mathrm{E}$ ) present, respectively, 31.08 and 80.28 % greater than those of intact one. The considered process parameters were noticed to be of substantial influences on the crush behavior of perforated GFRP tubes exposed to axial compression.