Axial energy absorption of CFRP truncated cones

Abstract Truncated cones made of composite materials, intended for structural applications in the automotive industry, have been studied from the point of view of their energy absorption capability when submitted to axial loading. The study has been developed at first applying quasi-static loads and then dynamic impact ones. The material used for this research is a fabric prepreg obtained by high-strength carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy resin. Three different geometrical parameters of the cones have been considered: the wall thickness (3 different values), the cone angle (3 different values) and the minor internal diameter (3 different values) and a total amount of 25 tests have been performed for each loading conditions. Results are shown in terms of load–displacement and current crushing stress–displacement diagrams; characteristic trends are compared and discussed. Finally SEA and average crushing stress are analyzed and their dependency on the above mentioned geometrical parameters are evaluated.