Crash behavior of obliquely loaded aluminum extrusions

Abstract

The energy absorbing capability of obliquely loaded aluminum extrusions was studied through quasi-static experiments. Square aluminum columns in alloy AA6060 were clamped at one end and oblique load conditions were realized by applying a force with different angles to the centreline of the column. The primary variables were load angle, wall thickness and heat treatment of alloy. In addition, numerical simulations were performed and comparisons with the experimental results were satisfactory. Numerical simulations with other load angles than in the experiments were also carried out to supplement the experimental results.