Lightweight Structure Characterisation of Thin-walled Column Subjected to Biaxial Loadings

Lightweight structure such as thin-walled column is adapted in electric vehicle as an energy absorber. It is also used to reduce the weight of the vehicle so it can reduce the energy consumption. Most researches focus on uniaxial loading whereas, in practice, biaxial loading is likely to occur. Researches also show that a multi-cell column performs better in crashworthiness compared to conventional or single-cell column. This research aims to conduct numerical simulations of the multi-cell thin-walled column subjected to biaxial loadings. Numerical simulations have been done to five different cross- section aluminium square columns: single-cell (V0H0); multi- cell with one vertical plate (V1H0); multi-cell with two vertical plates (V2H0); multi-cell with one vertical and one horizontal plates (V1H1); and multi-cell with two vertical and one horizontal plates (V2H1). V2H1 column performs high specific energy absorption when it is subjected to fully axial and axial- dominant loadings. It absorbs up to 69.07% more than single- cell column does. On the other hand, V2H0 column performs high specific energy absorption when it is subjected to fully bending and bending-dominant loadings. It absorbs up to 99.56% more than single-cell column does.