Circular Peeling Energy Absorber

초록

The crash energy absorbers had been widely studied during past decades for the applications of automobile cars, airplanes, ships, heavy duty transportations such as railway vehicles, trucks and etc. The energy absorber has not only an energy absorption function but also mechanical and structural functions usually. For the case of railway vehicle, the function of an energy absorber is mainly energy absorption since the railway vehicle has sufficient space for the energy absorbers. Therefore, the railway energy absorbers focus on the constant crushing force and high energy absorption capacity. Railway vehicle has designated level of statically permissible compressive force. The railway energy absorber should deform under the designated level of force and the energy absorption capacity becomes largest if the force-displacement curve is rectangular shape. The circular peeling energy absorber shows ideal energy absorbing characteristics and stable performance. The energy absorber currently suggested consists of a part to be cut and a cutter part. Part to be cut or peeled is an aluminum tube which is extruded and the cutter part is steel pipe which is electro-resistance welded. Quasi-static and dynamic crush tests were performed using conventional UTM and railway crash test facilities of KRRI. The circular peeling energy absorber is very easy to fabricate by turning and cheap accordingly. The energy absorber suggested will be an acceptable alternate product for applications where crash accident occurs occasionally and the absorber needs constant crushing force.