Energy Absorption Ability of Thin-Walled Square Hollow Section of Low Carbon Sheet Metals under Quasi-Static Axial Compression

Abstract

Countless everyday objects are constructed with sheet metal steel like car bodies, airplane wings, medical tables, roof for buildings and many other applications. In this research, loading rate effects have been studied on the low carbon steel sheet metals under Quasi-Static axial compression condition. Metallurgical study was carried out to identify microstructural behavior along with tension, chemical composition and hardness test of the same material. Johnson cook (JC) model has been used to develop a finite element model for the thin walled steel tube. Parameters of JC model have been extracted and validated with the experimental results. Strain gauge rosette is used to determine strain at required locations on the tube structure. Rectangular piece of wood (10mm) was placed inside the tube structure to avoid possible buckling. Finally, axial compression test under quasi-static condition was conducted experimentally to validate the finite element results. Properties obtained from true stress-strain curve was modulus of elasticity E = 189 GPa, yield stress and ultimate tensile strength of 220 MPa and 375 MPa, respectively. It transpired from the comparison that the predicted buckling and force levels in FE model were in good agreement with the observed buckling and force levels in the experiments.