The static and dynamic axial crumbling of thin-walled fibreglass composite square tubes

In the present paper we report on the behaviour and crashworthiness characteristics of square composite tubes subjected to static and dynamic axial compression exerted by a hydraulic press and a drop-hammer, respectively. The effect of specimen geometry, i.e. of thickness and axial length, and of the loading rate on the energy absorbing capability are studied in detail. Attention is directed towards the mechanics of the axial crumbling process...