Geometrical metallic shell behavior study under compression

The loading response of shell structures depends on their shapes. The individual shape behaves uniquely to the loading, and different shapes give different load displacement graphs. If these geometries are combined, then their load displacement graphs can be different. It may happen that their combined behavior can be harnessed to be used as better energy absorber in a controlled manner, which they cannot if they are used individually. Experiments were conducted on two separate geometries as well by joining them with weld. The first geometry was the top cylindrical and frusta bottom. The second geometry was the shape of inverted bell crater and halfspherical shells. Combining these two shapes produced the third geometrical shape. The large deformation was obtained by crushing these geometrical shells between two flat plates. The finite element analysis was used to simulate the crush phenomenon. The behavior of the geometrical shell to large deformation was understood with load displacement graph for different samples. The energy absorbed by the different samples was calculated and compared. The parameters, like material and thickness, were varied for the samples to see their effect on the large deformation behavior. Moreover, friction role is discussed on the crush phenomenon. This paper also gives an idea on the different parameters which can affect the energy-absorbing capacity of the combined geometrical shells.