• Composites Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.8-16
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• 2007

Bending collapse of light-weight square tubes used for vehicle structure components is a dominant failure mode in oblique collision and rollover of vehicles. In this paper bending performances of aluminum-GFRP hybrid tube beams were evaluated in relation with bending deformation behavior and energy absorption characteristics. Aluminum/GFRP hybrid tube beams fabricated by inserting adhesive film between prepreg and metal layer were used in the bending test. Failure mechanisms of hybrid tubes under a bending load were experimentally investigated to analyze the bending performance as a function of ply orientation and composite layer thickness. Ultimate bending moments and energy absorption capacity of hybrid tube beams were obtained from the measured load-displacement corves. It was found that aluminum/GFRP hybrid tubes could be converted to rather stable collapse mode showing excellent energy absorption capacity in comparison to the pure aluminum tube beams. In particular, the hybrid tube beam with $[0^{\circ}/90^{\circ}]s$ composite layer showed a large improvement by about 78% in energy absorption capacity and by 29% in specific energy absorption.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.76-79
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• 2005

Bending deformation and energy absorption characteristics of aluminum-composite hybrid tube beams have been analyzed for improvement in the bending performance of aluminum space frame by using experimental tests combined with theoretical and finite element analyses. Hybrid tube beams composed of glass fabric/epoxy layer wrapped around on aluminum tube were made in autoclave with the recommended curing cycle. Basic properties of aluminum material used for initial input data of the finite element simulation and theoretical analysis were obtained from the true stress-true strain curve of specimen which had bean extracted from the Al tube beam. A modified theoretical model was developed to predict the resistance to the collapse of hybrid tube beams subjected to a bending load. Theoretical moment-rotation angle curves of hybrid tube beams were in good agreement with experimental ones, which was comparable to the results obtained from finite element simulation. Hybrid tube beams strengthened by composite layer on the whole web and flange showed an excellent bending strength and energy absorption capability.