Influence of Apertures on Dynamic Energy Dissipation in Thin-Walled Tubular Structures Under Impact

Thin-walled tubular structures are widely employed as energy-absorbing components in various engineering applications, particularly in crash protection systems.1 This study investigates the impact of introducing cutouts, or apertures, on the energy absorption capabilities of thin-walled tubes subjected to dynamic loading conditions. Computational simulations, validated against existing literature, were conducted to analyze the deformation modes, peak crushing force, mean crushing force, and specific energy absorption of tubular structures with varying cutout geometries (size, shape, and location). The results reveal a complex interplay between the presence of cutouts and the energy absorption characteristics, highlighting the potential for both enhancement and degradation of crashworthiness performance depending on the design parameters of the apertures. This research provides valuable insights for the tailored design of thin-walled tubes with cutouts to optimize their energy dissipation capacity under dynamic impact scenarios.