Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Finite Element Modeling for the Simulation of the Quasi-Static Compression of Corrugated Tapered Tubes
Published on: January 6, 2023
Crushing Behaviors and Energy Absorption Evaluation Methods of Hexagonal Steel Tubular Columns with Triangular Cells
Weiwei Li1, Zhaohui Li1, Suhang Li1
1Department of Civil Engineering, Nanyang Institute of Technology, Nanyang 473004, China.
Abstract:
Under axial compression, multi-cell tubes are considered more effective than single-cell tubes. Regular hexagonal multi-cell tubes (HMT) were designed, tested, and analyzed by finite element modeling (FEM). The crushing mechanism of the HMT was revealed by compression testing and FEM. Experiments and FEM revealed that the mean crushing force of the HMT can be increased by 14% by adopting multi-cell topology, which shortens the folding wavelength and enables HMT progressive crushing. Thus, the HMT is more efficient in energy absorption compared with the conventional regular hexagonal thin-walled tube (HST). More triangular cells result in HMTs with much greater mean crushing force and specific energy absorption. Three evaluation methods were proposed and discussed to determine the effective crushing distance. A plastic model established according to classical simplified super-folding elements was shown to consistently predict the mean crushing force of the HMTs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Design of Columns under a Centric Load
Euler's formula is applicable under the assumption that the column is a perfect, straight, homogenous prism, and it is operating...
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Mechanical Characteristics of Steel
The tension test is fundamental for determining tensile strength. In this test, a steel specimen is stretched using a gripping device until it breaks. The data collected during this test are used...
Design of Columns under an Eccentric Load
Thin-Walled Hollow Shafts
Torsion of Noncircular Members

