In this paper we report on small scale modelling of fracture mechanisms and large scale deformation of fibre-reinforced composite materials when circular thin-walled tubes are subjected to axial collapse. Contrary to the mechanism of energy absorption in the case of ductile materials, energy absorption for brittle composite materials is achieved by material fragmentation, i.e., the mechanism of fracture dominates the phenomenon rather than the plastic deformation. The effect of composite material properties and the tube geometry on the crashworthy characteristics of the tubular structural components is investigated with the aim in mind of the cost-effective design of structural elements in vehicles.
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