Performance of end-capped multi-segmented conical tubes filled with foam under axial and oblique loads as an energy absorber

Improving the crashworthiness performance of the energy absorber and reducing the intensity of the load on the main structure using plastic deformation at the end of the vehicle is of vital significance. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the crashworthiness characteristics of multi-segmented conical tubes subjected to axial and oblique loads. Multi-segmented tubes can exhibit a superior design compared to simple ones. They reduce the initial peak load with different wall lengths and thicknesses. The specimens were designed by changing the number of segments, the arrangement of the segments, and changing geometrical dimensions of segments. A total of five different arrangements were designed in two groups: empty and foam-filled specimens, and crashworthiness parameters were extracted for them. The nonlinear finite element simulation method was established with the software ABAQUS, and their results were validated by experimental tests. Several absorbent design parameters were investigated, including energy absorption, initial peak load, and specific energy absorption, and it was found that the performance of all specimens was relatively acceptable. The overall results of this study showed that the proposed end-capped multi-segmented conical tubes filled with foam are considerable energy-absorbing structures in the axial and oblique directions. In addition, the initial peak load can be reduced with an increase in the number of segments.