Structure optimization for the folded energy-absorbing tube based on high-confidence simulation model

The folded energy-absorbing tube is one of passive safety devices used in modern railway vehicles. By test comparison, this paper determines the conversion factors of the energy absorbing characteristics between quasi-static compression and dynamic compression. With the test data as the criteria to verify the accuracy of the simulation, we have obtained the high-confidence finite element model that correctly reflects the energy absorbing characteristics of folded energy-absorbing tube compression. We use the orthogonal test design to obtain the optimized folded energy-absorbing tube geometric structure for an EMU model with spatial size and energy absorbing characteristics constraints. The test shows the optimization result is ideal and it provides a good solution for the structure design of the folded energy-absorbing tube with different design requirements. Copyright ASCE 2009.