Design of composite structural elements under crash loads

3 Design of composite structural elements under crash loads 

1 Energy absorbing mechanisms in composite structural elements 

Loading rate (m/s) Peak crush force (kN) SSCF (kN) Crush distance (mm) Energy absorbed (kj) SEA (kj/kg) 

It should be noted that the composites damage and failure models discussed here are based on an assumption of rate-independent behaviour, and materials properties used for validation studies are based on quasi-static tests. This is currently standard practice in impact simulations of composite structures, which is an important assumption in the work. Reasons for this are the lack of international dynamic test standards for measuring rate-dependent composites properties, so established test procedures are missing. Dynamic failure models for composites are not well understood nor implemented in current commercial FE codes. In justification it should be pointed out that carbon fibres are highly elastic, thus fibre-dominated properties show no 

3D view For eng ref only Upper plate removed for clarity 

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