ENERGY ABSORPTION BY FOAM FILLED STRUCTURES

The energy absorbed during the axial collapse of a variety of structures made in steel, aluminum alloy and glass fiber reinforced plastic is examined with respect to the changes produced by foam filling. A simple model is devised which permits reasonable estimates of the axial collapse load for a structure and an assessment of the weight effectiveness of foam filling for that structure. Design charts are given, from which the dimensions can be derived for sections made in either steel or aluminum alloys of any particular strength level, in order to establish the weight effectiveness of foam filling. On a weight effectiveness basis, foam filling is primarily of value only in sections made from high density, low strength materials, e.g., mild steel. For mild steel foam filling becomes weight effective in sections having a thickness: section side ratio of less than .02 approximately. In the case of brittle materials, e.g., fiber reinforced plastics, foam filling promotes the crush stability of the structure.

• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Thornton, P H
• Publication Date: 1980-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 11 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum alloys; Axial loads; Collapse; Energy absorption; Foams; Glass fibers; Mild steel; Reinforced plastics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00315449
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 800081
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 5 1980 12:00AM