This article investigates energy absorption capacity and plastic deformation of lateral flattening process on an aluminum profile with special cross-section under the lateral compressive loading in the quasi-static condition by experimental method. The profile section is a circular tube with two symmetric longitudinal grooves. Different samples with various lengths and outer diameters in three different filling conditions consist of empty, core-filled and full-filled by polyurethane foam were prepared. Some specimens with the same geometry and filling condition but, with different loading angles of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90o respect to symmetric line of two longitudinal grooves, were laterally compressed. Effects of various parameters such as profile length, outer diameter, three different filling conditions, and loading angle are investigated on lateral loading and specific absorbed energy. Experimental results show that specific absorbed energy is independent of specimen length. At the same displacement, when diameter of samples increases compressive loading decreases. Also, in zero loading angle, presence of the filler enhances lateral load; and consequently, increases specific absorbed energy by the structure. In viewpoint of the design of an energy absorber design, optimum specimen is full-filled profile under a loading angle equal to zero. However, if due to some design limitations, assembling the special profile with loading angle of zero is impossible, assembling the structure in empty condition with loading angle of 90o can be the next suggestion. Experiments show that the highest specific absorbed energy occurs in the profile with different diameters under loading angles of zero and 90o.

Keywords: Lateral loading, aluminum profile with a special cross-section, lateral flattening, Polyurethane foam, specific absorbed energy

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