Copper Energy Absorber with Elliptical Cross-Section under the Lateral Compression Tests

This paper investigates energy absorption by thin-walled copper specimens with elliptical cross-section and with two longitudinal arc grooves during the lateral compression tests in the quasi-static condition. To perform the experiments, two special fixtures were designed and manufactured that their pins are positioned in the longitudinal arc grooves of each specimen. Then, the system is positioned into the testing machine and lateral compression load is applied on the system. Some copper specimens with different lengths and wall thicknesses were prepared. Also, some specimens with different cross-sectional widths were produced and tested. For each sample, diagrams of lateral load, total energy absorption, special absorbed energy and absorbed energy per length versus lateral displacement are sketched and effects of some geometrical parameters such as length, wall thickness and width of the elliptical copper energy absorbers are investigated. Experimental results show that intelligent design of geometrical characteristics of the specimens with special cross-section could absorb a considerable value of kinetic energy by using lightweight specimens and without using more material. Also, experiments indicate that length and wall thickness of the specimens have a direct relation with their energy absorption capacity.