Axial buckling of thin shells with a foam core

• Main Author: Huang, Junjie.
• Other Authors: Lu Guoxing
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Mechanics and dynamics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16825
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Thin aluminium shells with diameter to thickness ratio of 260 and 330 and aluminium foams with densities of 0.13g/cm3 and 0.46g/cm3 were axially loaded individually. Values of the first peak force, Fmax, the average force, Favg and total energy absorbed were obtained. The foams where then inserted into the shells as a filler material to maximise the energy absorbing capabilities. Comparisons were made between the Fmax, Favg and energy absorption values. The average percentages increased of the values were calculated to help with the comparisons and proved that the ‘stiffening effect’ did actually help in increasing the energy absorbing capabilities. Two main factors were found to have influence the values of Fmax, Favg and energy absorption. The first factor was the diameter to thickness ratio of the shell. The variation of it affected the values of Fmax, Favg and energy absorption. Secondly was the difference in the Favg between the shell and the foam. To maximise the ‘stiffening effect’, the difference in the Favg should not be too huge.