An experimental and numerical study on the energy absorbing capability of aluminum extrusions under oblique loading

Oblique loading was studied through static experiments and numerical simulations. The behavior of square aluminum columns in alloy AA6060 subjected to oblique loading was investigated experimentally for three different load angles. The square columns are clamped at one end and oblique load conditions were realized by applying a force with different angles to the centerline of the column. Numerical simulations were later carried out to validate the numerical model. Numerical studies of oblique impact were performed using the validated model, and peak forces and mean crush loads were investigated through factorial analysis with parameters as load angle, thickness, length, heat treatment of the alloy and velocity. The predicted force vs. plastic displacement curves are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The factorial analysis revealed how the different parameters affected the energy absorption and peak load. The effects of thickness and heat treatment were quite big, but did not vary much for the different load angles. The effect of length on energy absorption was also significant. However, the effect of velocity on energy absorption decreased for an increasing load angle, while the effect of velocity on peak force increased for increasing load angle. Interaction effects were quite small compared to the other effects, but are noticeable.