FE simulation of plastic collapse and geometrical factors affecting the bending response of a tubular aluminum beam

Abstract

In this study, bending response of circular aluminum tube and factors affecting collapse behaviour were investigated by FE simulations. Geometrical parameters such as wall tube thickness, tube diameter, support distances, punch diameter and material properties were considered in analyses systematically. The results of analyses revealed that local buckling plays an important role on collapse load and buckling displacement is directly proportional to tube diameter, regardless of D/t and yield strength of tube material. The ratio of buckling displacement to tube diameter corresponds to 40 % of tube diameter. Moreover, an attempt was made to construct an equation as a function of D, t and yield strength for estimating collapse load. Finally, ANOVA test was used to analyze the influence of some parameters such as diameter of tube, wall thickness and yield strength. It is found from the test that the most significant factor on maximum load is wall thickness (79.6 %).