• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2022

This paper considers the combination of cyclic and axial loads to investigate the hysteretic performance of H-section 6061-T6 aluminum alloy members. The hysteretic performance of aluminum alloy members is the basis for the seismic performance of aluminum alloy structures. Despite the prevalence of aluminum alloy reticulated shells structures worldwide, research into the seismic performance of aluminum alloy structures remains inadequate. To address this deficiency, we design and conduct cyclic axial load testing of three H-section members based on a reliable testing system. The influence of slenderness ratios and bending direction on the failure form, bearing capacity, and stiffness degradation of each member are analyzed. The experiment results show that overall buckling dominates the failure mechanism of all test members before local buckling occurs. As the load increases after overall buckling, the plasticity of the member develops, finally leading to local buckling and fracture failure. The results illustrate that the plasticity development of the local buckling position is the main reason for the stiffness degradation and failure of the member. Additionally, with the increase of the slenderness ratio, the energy-dissipation capacity and stiffness of the member decrease significantly. Simultaneously, a finite element model based on the Chaboche hybrid strengthening model is established according to the experiment, and the rationality of the constitutive model and validity of the finite element simulation method are verified. The parameter analysis of twenty-four members with different sections, slenderness ratios, bending directions, and boundary conditions are also carried out. Results show that the section size and boundary condition of the member have a significant influence on stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity. Based on the above, the appropriate material constitutive relationship and analysis method of H-section aluminum alloy members under cyclic loading are determined, providing a reference for the seismic design of aluminum alloy structures.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2008

Crash box is one of the most important automotive parts for crash energy absorption and is equipped at the front end of the front side member. The specific characteristics of aluminum alloys offer the possibility to design cost-effective lightweight structures with high stiffness and excellent crash energy absorption potential. This study deals with crashworthiness of aluminum crash box for an auto-body with the various types of cross section. For aluminum alloys, A17003-T7 and A17003-T5, the dynamic tensile test was carried out to apply for crash analysis at the range of strain from 0.003/sec to 200/sec. The crash analysis and the crash test were carried out for three cross sections of rectangle, hexagon and octagon. The analysis results show that the octagon cross section shape with A17003-T5 has higher crashworthiness than other cross section shapes. The effect of rib shapes in the cross section is important factor in crash analysis. Finally, new configuration of crash box with high crash energy absorption was suggested.