Energy absorption characteristics of multi-cell tubes with different cross-sectional shapes under quasi-static axial crushing

Energy absorption characteristics of polygonal multi-cell tubes with different cross-sectional shapes under quasi-static axial crushing are investigated systematically. Based on the SSFE theory and CE method, theoretical models for predicting mean crushing force of tubes are proposed, and theoretical expressions of normalized mean crushing force (NFm) and normalized special energy absorption (NSEA) of tubes are derived. Numerical models for predicting the energy absorption characteristics also are established using the software ABAQUS/Explicit. The results of theoretical predictions and numerical simulations about 36 design conditions are in good agreement with experimental results those obtained by previous authors. Adding inner panels can improve the energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled tubes. And adding Cross-type inner panels in S, H and O single-cell tubes has more remarkable improvement than that of adding X-type and Y-type inner panels. The NFm increases with the increase of wide-thickness ratio, and NSEA decreases with the increase of wide-thickness ratio.