Drop tests and numerical simulation of composite beams with corrugated web

Abstract To investigate the energy absorption ability of composite beams with corrugated web in the crash process, the drop tests of composite beams with corrugated web were carried out, and the morphology of fracture, load and energy history curves were obtained. Based on the Abaqus/Explicit platform, a simulation analysis model was developed to simulate the impact collapse process of composite beams with corrugated web using secondary development. The improved Hashin criterion and Choi-Chang criterion were used with the Cohesive interface element. The anisotropy and progressive damage of composite laminates were implemented. Average loads were obtained by numerical simulation, which was verified by experimental results. Based on this model, further studies on the energy absorption of composite beams with corrugated web were analyzed with different wavenumbers. The progressive damage of corrugated web beams under impact load was simulated by the developed FE model. The relative errors of average crushing load were small, which verified the validity of the FE model. When the wave length of web was defined, the length of corrugated web beam had influence on energy absorption under impact. The shorter beam with corrugated web was unstable and ineffective in energy absorption.