Numerical Investigation of Crash Energy Absorber with Horsetail Structure Using Composite for Railways at Low-Velocity Impact

One essential component of the train Crash Energy Management (CEM) system, which functions as a passive safety mechanism, is the Crash Energy Absorber (CEA). The goal of developing the CEA is to create a lightweight absorber with high energy density. Utilizing composite materials combined with complex geometries of the CEA presents an opportunity to achieve this objective. This study focuses on the horsetail structure and the application of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite (CFRC) materials in the CEA. It examines how design parameters affect the strength of the crash energy absorber in the longitudinal direction. Key parameters considered in the study include the number of tail structures, the selection of CFRC materials compared to aluminum (AL) materials, and the load conditions. The findings indicate that the impact load significantly influences the crash characteristics of the CEA module. Under higher loads, the CEA module performs better, resulting in higher Crash Load Efficiency (CLE). Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors when designing the CEA for specific applications.