Numerical analysis of progressive failure of composite energy absorbing structures

The aim of the paper was to compare the influence of the applied fill on the energy absorbed by the energy ubsorbing structural elements made of composite, steel and from composite with fill foam. The experimental tests were carried out on an INSTRON universal testing machine at the speed rate of the machine's traverse equal 10 mm/min md the numerical analysis has been performed using MSC. Dytran software based on the Finite Element Method. The elements were subjected to axial kinematic loads. The higher specific absorbed energy occurs in the case of energy absorbing elements made of composites and from composite with fill foam. These elements can be applied in structures designed for the protection of people or limitation of the whole structure failure, e.g. in the case of a helicopter or car crash etc. The failure progressing in a relatively uniform manner results in the fact that the work md for failure of an energy absorbing element causes a substantial reduction of the impact load results. Application of energy absorbing elements may be a system dissipating the energy of a car impact into a crash barrier. The results of numerical simulation of stiffness plate hitting to the road barrier are presented. Experimental tests and numerical simulations were also presented for a composite sleeve subjected to progressive failure, which allowed carrying out simulation and analysis of a crash into a road barrier protected by a system of two such sleeves.