U.S.-United Kingdom Cooperative Research: Energy Absorbing Structures Containing Tubular Elements

该奖项将支持范德比尔特大学的约翰·卡尼博士、剑桥大学的威廉·斯特朗博士和曼彻斯特大学科学技术研究所（UMIST）的s·r·里德博士进行的合作研究。提出的研究计划将涉及包含金属管作为耗能元件的结构系统的准静态和冲击耗能特性的实验和分析研究。拟议研究的目标包括四个具体任务。在任务1中，将根据管间边界条件、半径与壁厚比、应变硬化和应变率特性，对未加筋和加筋管组合簇的能量耗散特性进行优化。任务2将研究复合材料（泡沫填充）金属管在轴向和横向载荷条件下以及大变形下的行为。任务3涉及一维冲击理论的推广，以模拟二维管状阵列的冲击响应。最后，任务4将涉及专家系统的开发，该系统将优化高速公路安全运行中使用的冲击衰减装置的设计。范德比尔特大学、剑桥大学和麻省理工大学的冲击力学实验室拥有独特的实验设施，这些设施的共享将大大提高研究人员的生产力。该联合项目的成果将有助于冲击力学这一重要领域的基础研究工作。

This award will support collaborative research to be carried out by Dr. John Carney, Vanderbilt University, Dr. William Stronge, University of Cambridge, and Dr. S. R. Reid University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). The proposed research program will involve an experimental and analytical investigation of the quasi-static and impact energy dissipation characteristics of structural systems containing metallic tubes as energy dissipating elements. The objectives of the proposed research include four specific tasks. In Task 1, the energy dissipation characteristics of clusters of unstiffened and stiffened tubular assemblies will be optimized with respect to their intertubular boundary conditions, their radius to wall thickness ratios, and their strain-hardening and strain-rate properties. The behavior of composite (foam filled) metallic tubes under axial and lateral loading conditions and large deformations will be investigated in Task 2. Task 3 is concerned with the generalization of one-dimensional shock theory to model the impact response of two-dimensional tubular arrays. Finally, Task 4 will involve the development of an expert system which will optimize the design of impact attenuation devices employed in highway safety operations. The impact mechanics laboratory at Vanderbilt University, the University of Cambridge and UMIST have unique experimental facilities, the sharing of which will greatly enhance the productivity of the researchers involved. Results of this joint project should contribute to basic research efforts in the important area of impact mechanics.