Deformation Modes for Axial Crushing of Cylindrical Tubes Considering the Edge Effect

Abstract

In this paper, the elastoplastic deformation behaviors of cylindrical tubes subjected to statically axial compression are studied by using finite element method (FEM). Specifically, the effects of tube geometries and strain hardening are investigated. Although it is generally recognized that the deformation in the circumferential direction is dependent on the ratio of the radius to thickness (R/t), the deformation is also greatly dependent on the edge constraint. In this study, we used flanges as an edge constraint. The deformation mode in the circumferential direction also affects the deformation in the axial direction. A method to control the deformation mode, such as adding a disk in the tube center, is proposed to maintain the deformation in the axisymmetric mode.