Energy absorbing characteristics of hybrid composite pipe systems

Liao, Yaoping Energy absorbing characteristics of hybrid composite pipe systems. Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the structural response of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) tubes and their hybrid systems subjected to quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The work also includes the investigation of the mechanical properties and energy-absorbing characteristics of other novel composite structures for the potential use in aerospace and a wide range of engineering applications. Firstly, a series of experimental tests have been carried out to obtain the mechanical properties of all constituent materials and structural behaviour of the composite structures, which are used to validate numerical models. The material tests undertaken include (1) quasi-static and dynamic crushing of individual CFRP tubes and the related hybrid systems (2) compression of PU foams. The corresponding failure modes are obtained. In addition, specific energy absorption of the individual tubes and the hybrid systems investigated is evaluated. Then, finite element (FE) models are developed using the commercial code ABAQUS/Explicit to simulate the structural response of CFRP tubes, the related hybrid systems and syntactic foam core based sandwich beams. The agreement between the numerical predictions and experimental results is very good across the range of the structures and configurations investigated. The FE models have produced accurate predictions of the static and dynamic load-displacement responses, the specific energy absorption and failure characteristics recorded for CFRP tube structures. The modelling has been further undertaken on the low velocity impact response of the sandwich beams, with reasonably good correlation to the corresponding experimental results. The dynamic characteristics of the fibre reinforced composite pipe structures through a series experimental tests and numerical predictions investigated in this project can be used in assisting the design of lightweight composite structures for energy-absorbing applications.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master of Philosophy)
Additional Information:	Date: 2015-10 (completed)
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2015 09:49
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 01:34
DOI:	10.17638/02036402
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2036402