Review of properties of collision energy absorbers – experimental and numerical researches

Abstract

One of the main assemblies in the front part of the rail vehicle structures are passive safety elements. Perennial researches in the field of passive safety produced several different types of collision energy absorbers. Subject of this paper is review of experimental characteristics of a few different types of energy absorbers that works on the principle of folding, shrinking, expanding, shrinking-folding and shrinking-splitting of the tube. Using these types of absorbers, the energy absorption occurs by elastic-plastic deformations of the tube and friction between the tube and the special tools. Experimental researches were realized via quasi-static tests in a laboratory conditions and via collision of two passenger wagons. These absorbers can be installed in a line with standard buffer or separately in a front part of the rail vehicles structure. Numerical simulations of different shapes of deformation were realized using finite elements method (FEM) while the numerical models were verified using experimental results. Main target of development was to design collision energy absorber of compact (acceptable) dimensions that has gradual increase of the force and requested absorption power. Using results of experimental investigations and numerical simulations, the main advantages and disadvantages of described types of collision energy absorbers were presented.