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Investigation Into the Behaviour of Hinges Produced By Bending Collapse of Vehicle Structural Components
Technical Paper
785064
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The performance of a vehicle structure in an accident situation
can be estimated by determining the correct collapse mechanism and
energy absorbing capacity of the deforming components. In most
framework-type vehicle structures /buses, special purpose vehicles,
passenger compartments in cars etc./ the bending failures of
components are clearly dominant, and the energy absorbing material
is usually concentrated in the relatively small "hinges"
of the collapse mechanism.
The paper discusses various modes of the bending collapse that
have been observed in practice. The analytical method to estimate
the moment-deflection relationship of box beams in bending is
reviewed, and the results compared with data obtained by laboratory
testing of components.
The present results indicate that hinge properties have
important effects on the energy absorption. The bending collapse
mechanism of box beams is very repeatable in both static and
dynamic conditions. The hinge mechanism includes folding and
rolling deformation of the walls and the yield line theory was
combined with a mathematical model of the mechanism to estimate the
moment/hinge rotation relationship.
Good agreement between analytical and experimental data has been
obtained. The method provides the designer with a reasonable
estimate of the behaviour of box beams of known dimensions and
material.