Crashworthy Behavior of Multilayered and Multitubular Glass/Epoxy Fiber Reinforced Composite Tube with Different Helical Overlap Configurations

For using composite tubes as irreversible energy absorbers, it is essential to understand the importance of tube architecture and geometry that influence their energy-absorbing properties. To this end, this study concentrates on the experimental investigation of crashworthy responses of composite tubes with different combination of helical overlap portions arranged in multilayered and multitubular forms, subjected to axial impact crushing (drop weight impact). Multilayered and multitubular composite tubes are made in such a way that each layer/tube has a different helical overlap configuration. Three helical overlap configurations considered are ‘no overlap,’ ’quarter overlap,’ and ‘half overlap.’ The effects of different arrangements of helical overlap portions on the response of the test specimens are examined and parameters such as mean crushing load, energy absorption, specific energy absorption, and crush load efficiency are determined. Further, the responses are compared with the responses of tubes having conventional winding (straight wound) of similar dimensions. The damage and failure mechanisms found in different cases are studied and compared. This study presents the importance of combining different helical overlap configurations and arranging them in multilayered and multitubular forms for achieving progressive crushing as well as tailored energy absorption properties.