The Static Collapse Characteristics of CFRP Side Members Due to Stacking Condition

Currently, stacking condition related to the energy absorption of composite materials is being considered as an issue for the structural efficiency and safety of automobiles, aerospace vehicles, trains, ships even elevators during collision. In particular, CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) composite materials have found wide applicability because of their inherent design flexibility and improved material properties. The most important objective in designing automobiles is currently to focus on environment-friendly aspect and safety performance aspect. Therefore, the designing automobile should be more concerned on the aspect of securing safety performance, but at the same time, it also should consider reducing weight of automobile structural member. In this study, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) side members with single-hat-section shaped were manufactured. The axial static collapse tests were performed for the members using universal testing machine, and the collapse mode and energy absorption characteristics were analyzed according to stacking condition such as fiber orientation angle and shape of the section.