Force Response Characteristics of Square Columns for Selected Materials at Impact Loading Conditions Based on FEA

The crush behaviors of hollow square columns made of 45 different materials with emphasis on aluminum alloys and at two impact energy levels were simulated with FEA software DYNA3D. The force response curves based on the FEA simulation results were studied. Analysis of variance, cluster analysis, and principal component (PC) analysis were employed to analyze the data with SAS programs. The regression equations for calculating the peak force and time duration are given. The significance of the material properties and the impact energy levels to the peak force and the time duration are discussed. Finally, a procedure to predict the force response characteristics for a new material was suggested based on the current established database.