Improving energy absorption of impacted column due to transverse impact: A finite element analysis

The effect of transverse impact on the buckling behavior of a column under axial impact loading was numerically investigated using finite element analysis. A column under axial impact was subjected to transverse impact to instantaneously reduce its structural stiffness. Absorption of the axial impact energy increased due to post-buckling deformation being enlarged by transverse impact, though the axial impact load decreased. The numerical results of the finite element analysis qualitatively proved the results of a previous experiment. A transverse impact applied almost simultaneously with an axial impact produced the highest energy absorption. The impulse of transverse impact seems to be the governing parameter when a transverse impact is applied just after an axial one. It is confirmed that a transverse impact could increase the axial energy absorption of a column without losing any structural stiffness or static strength.