Performance analysis of fibre metal laminated thin conical frusta under axial compression

The crushing behaviour and energy absorption capacity of frustrated conical shells made-up of bare aluminium (AC) and E-glass fibre/epoxy resin composite overwrapped aluminium (CWAC) was studied under quasi-static axial compression condition. Using spinning process, the hollow frustrated conical specimens were fabricated with the help of wooden conical shaped mandrill with semi apical angles of 16° and 21°. Thin commercial aluminium sheets of average thickness 0.87 mm were obtained for making aluminium conical specimen. CWAC frusta were fabricated by wrapping glass fibre/epoxy resin over aluminium conical shell to form hybrid composite with required thickness by hand layup process. Quasi-static axial compression load was applied over top end of the specimen with cross head speed as 2 mm/min using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). From the experiment results, the load–deformation characteristics of different AC and CWAC frusta were investigated. Energy absorption capacities or crashworthiness and mode of collapse of all models of AC and CWAC are determined from load–deformation curve and the same was validated with finite element analysis package ABAQUS®.