Study on the Shape of an Aluminum Crash Box with the Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This study deals with the crashworthiness of aluminum crash box for an auto-body with the various types of cross section. For the aluminum alloy, the dynamic tensile test was carried out to apply for crash analysis at the range of strain rate from 0.003 to 200/sec. The crash analysis was carried out for three cross sections of rectangle, hexagon and octagon. The analysis result shows that the octagon cross section shape has higher crashworthiness than other cross section shapes. Effect of shape of rib in the cross section is important factor in crash analysis. Face-to-face rib shows higher specific energy absorption and lower peak load than edge-to-edge rib. The energy absorption and load are affected by the inclined angle of rigid wallin crash analysis. As inclined angle increases, peak load decreases and face-to-face rib shows high crashworthiness.