Analytical Study of the Behavior of Tubular Elements Reinforced with Natural Fibers Under Dynamic Loads

Laminates of fiber-reinforced composite materials are a good choice for structural applications due to their high strength and lightweight nature, which enables improved fuel efficiency. The present study examines the behavior of tubular elements reinforced with fibers intended to function as protective components in automobiles. An alternative to structures made of synthetic fiber-reinforced laminates (carbon, glass, etc.) are those reinforced with natural fibers. The high levels of abaca and jute fiber production in Ecuador allow for the use of these fibers in producing passive safety elements in vehicles. A mass-spring model evaluates the dynamic structural behavior of circular section tubular elements reinforced with natural fibers. The analytical model is validated with experimental results obtained from three-point on tubular element reinforced with carbon fiber.