1. Development of a FEA Model for Hybrid Energy Absorbing Components
Karlo Stetic z3422541 Supervisor: Prof G. Prusty
Co-Supervisor: Dr. S. H. Lim
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Introduction
FEA modelling is used increasingly in engineering, as it is the
easiest and quickest way to simulate complex problems and get
accurate results. Similarly, hybrid energy absorbing structures are
being increasingly used, especially in applications where there are
geometric and weight constraints. One of these applications is the
subfloor section of a helicopter, which often requires upgrading in
older helicopters, to bring them up to modern crashworthiness
standards. This thesis will look at developing a valid FEA model
to simulate the behaviour of these kinds of components.
Methodology
It can be concluded that FEA models of hybrid
material components can be done, and will yield
fairly accurate results. As this is somewhat in its
infancy, future updates and developments in the
software will make it much easier to set up and
develop this models.
- Perform experiment to establish validation case for axial
crushing of hybrid material cylinders
- Develop FEA Model of single material cylinder being
crushed, and validate
- Develop FEA model of hybrid material cylinder being
crushed, and validate
Future work for this topic will be to expand on the model, and
to further understand the underlying software for better
utilization, as there were very many options that time did not
allow for the full exploration of.
Conclusions and Future Work
Experimental results can be seen in Figure 2.
they were consistent, and served as a good
validation case.
Single material cylinder FEA simulations
provided very similar results to those of
experimental validation case, and were
considered valid.
Hybrid material cylinder FEA simulations
were more difficult to create, but still yielded
accurate results that were in line with
expectations based on the experiment and from
previous literature and research.
Results
Objectives
1) The first objective was to assess the significance and
applicability of hybrid energy absorbing components.
This would help direct focus on which aspects of the
components needed the most attention.
2) Create a methodology and path to follow that ensures
valid results of the research and development.
3) Apply the methodology and validate the results.
This will serve as an example as to how to build a
complete FEA model to analyze hybrid material
components.
Figure
2
Force
v
Displacement
graph
of
experiment
Figure
1
Experimental
Setup