Energy dissipating component in fall arrest system

A concept for the design of energy absorber system is presented, which consist basically of tube type structural elements coupled. The system considers the absorbed energy for levels of kinetic energy corresponding to similar fall arrest systems used to prevent injuries during fall incidents. The energy dissipation in the proposed passive system is developed by means of mechanical contact, friction phenomena and plastic strain. The analysis of conditions in the system is supported by the finite element software Abaqus, which permits the simplification of the body fall process. The application of structural elements in the system is based in its mechanical characteristic for energy dissipation by deformation. Plastic deformation in structural tubes is an irreversible process, which is a desirable condition for fall arrest systems. Finally, the numerical results to show the dissipation of kinetic energy in the proposed system are presented.