Energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled steel tube filled with paper scraps

Abstract

The specific energy absorption of a thin-walled tube can be improved by filler. This study examined the potential use of a cheaper biomass filler, paper scraps, to enhance the energy absorption characteristics of the structure while reducing its cost, compared to that with a traditional filler such as foam material. Quasi-static crushing tests and finite element simulations were performed by using the explicit non-linear finite element software LS-DYNA to determine the improvements to the mean crushing force and specific energy absorption of the steel tube when filled with different densities of paper scraps. The mean crushing force and specific energy absorption of the empty tube, the paper scraps, and thin-walled tube filled with paper scraps were determined, and corresponding numerical simulations were performed. The simulation and test results showed that the impact performance of tube filled with paper scraps was greatly improved when paper scraps density was 0.35 g/cm(3). By optimizing paper scraps filling structure, a new structure that could further enhance the specific energy absorption was obtained. The optimal scheme could increase the specific energy absorption of Q345 steel tube by 11.35%.