Investigation of simple cubical space trusses as impact energy absorbers

Abstract

Experimental work on the possible use of cubical space trusses as energy absorbers is described. To this end the crushing behavior of single cubical space trusses welded from mild steel bars was studied experimentally. Test specimens made from bars of several different diameters d and lengths L were crushed axially between parallel plates both statically and by the use of a drop hammer. It was found that the energy absorbed per unit mass of energy absorber decreased with the increase in aspect ratio R=L / D in both the static and the dynamic testing, although the specimens tested dynamically were found to absorb nearly twice the energy absorbed by specimens tested statically. Using basic relationships, closed-form equations were developed for predicting the crushing force and the energy absorbed by cubical space trusses. It was shown that the prediction of the crushing force is fairly accurate when compared with experimental results.