Numerical investigation of deformation behavior of aluminum beams reinforced with aluminum foam

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc Graduate, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanical behaviors of beams with square and circular cross-sections that are hollow and filled with foam have been studied under three-point bending using finite element analysis. Aluminum alloy AA6063-T6 and AlSi7 foam are considered tube materials and foam, respectively. The amount of deformation, bending strength, and energy absorption of the beams under different conditions were investigated and compared with each other; finally, sections with the highest bending strength and energy absorption capacity were determined. The results showed that in foam-filled beams, the bending strength has increased compared with hollow ones; also, the bending strength during loading is preserved after the first damage, even increasing. Double beams filled with foam (hollow composite beams) showed higher bending strength as well as energy absorption compared to solid composite beams, in spite of their lower weight. The highest amount of bending strength was observed in square-section beams filled with foam.

Keywords

References

[1] Abramowicz W. Thin-walled structures as impact energy absorbers. Thin-walled structures: 2003 Feb; 41(2-3); 91-107. doi: 10.1016/S0263-8231(02)00082-4
[2] Immarigeon J P, Holt R T, Koul A K, Zhao L, Wallace W, Beddoes J C. Lightweight materials for aircraft applications. Materials characterization: 1995 July;35(1): 41-67. doi: 10.1016/1044-5803(95)00066-6
[3] Soltani S, Deilami Azodi H, Elahi S H. The influence of the amount of CaCO3 foaming agent on the physical structure and mechanical properties of LM13 aluminum foam. Iranian Journal of Manufacturing Engineering: 2022 Sep;9(5): 33-39. doi: 10.22034/ijme.2022.160057 [In Persian]
[4] Bilston D, Ruan D, Candido A, Durandet Y. Parametric study of the cross-section shape of aluminum tubes in dynamic three-point bending. Thin-Walled Structures: 2019 Mar;136:315-322. doi: 10.1016/j.tws.2018.12.032
[5] Sampath V, Rao C L, Reddy S. Energy absorption of foam filled aluminum tubes under dynamic bending. Procedia Manufacturing: 2019 Jan; 7:225-233. doi: 10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.054
[6] Zarei H, Kröger M. Bending behavior of empty and foam-filled beams: Structural optimization. International Journal of Impact Engineering: 2008 June;35(6):521-529. doi: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2007.05.003
[7] Li Z, Zheng Z, Yu J, Guo L. Crashworthiness of foam-filled thin-walled circular tubes under dynamic bending. Materials & Design: 2013 Dec; 52:1058-1064. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2013.06.067
[8] Crupi V, Montanini R. Aluminum foam sandwiches collapse modes under static and dynamic three-point bending. International Journal of Impact Engineering: 2007 Mar;34(3):509-521. doi: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2005.10.001
[9] Santosa S, Banhart J, Wierzbicki T. Bending Crush Resistance of Partially Foam‐Filled Sections. Advanced Engineering Materials: 2000 Apr;2(4):223-227. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1527-2648(200004)2:4<223::AID-ADEM223>3.0.CO;2-J
[10] Shojaeifard M H, Zarei H R, Talebitooti R. Bending behavior of empty and foam-filled aluminum tubes with different cross-sections. Acta Mechanica Solida Sinica: 2012 Dec;25(6):616-626. doi: 10.1016/S0894-9166(12)60057-3
[11] An Y, Yang Ch H, Hodgson P. A study on bending behaviors of aluminum foam-filled tubes. Applied Mechanics and Materials: 2014 Aug;620:413-416.‏ doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.620.413
[12] Li Z, Lu F. Bending resistance and energy-absorbing effectiveness of empty and foam-filled thin-walled tubes. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites: 2015 Apr;34(9):761-768. doi: 10.1177/0731684415580329
[13] Yu J, Wang E, Li J, Zheng Z. Static and low-velocity impact behavior of sandwich beams with closed-cell aluminum-foam core in three-point bending. International Journal of Impact Engineering: 2008 Aug;35(8):885-894.‏ doi: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2008.01.006
[14] Guo L W, Yu J L, Li Z B. Experimental studies on the quasi-static bending behavior of double square tubes filled with aluminum foam. Acta mechanica: 2010 Mar; 213(3):349-358. doi: 10.1007/s00707-010-0281-1
[15] Duan L, Xue K, Du Z, Ma H, Li, W, Su Y. Application of Johnson-Cook Model in Failure Simulation for Steel-Aluminum Hybrid Spr Joint Under Dynamic Loading. Available at SSRN 4232841: 2022 Sep; doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4232841
[16] Avalle M, Lehmhus D, Peroni L, Pleteit H, Schmiechen Ph, Belingardi G, Busse M. AlSi7 metallic foams–aspects of material modelling for crash analysis, International Journal of Crashworthiness: 2009 Jul;14(3):269-285, doi: 10.1080/13588260802445836
Iranian Journal of Manufacturing Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 1 - Serial Number 63
Best Paper of ICME 2022
March 2023
Pages 49-58

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics