Numerical and experimental investigations on the axial crushing response of composite tubes

Abstract Quasi-static tests were performed on carbon reinforced composite tubes to examine their axial crushing response. Stable progressive crushing processes with brittle fracturing crushing modes were observed during experiments. Numerical investigations were also conducted. Details on the numerical modelling strategy were given and discussed. It is found that triggers introduced in the numerical simulation can effectively model the bevel trigger at the end of the tubular specimens and result in stable progressive crushing. It is also found that the two-layer finite element model based on the Chang–Chang failure criteria is effective in representing the energy absorption characteristics and crushing failure mode of the tubular composite specimens.