Crash sled testing of triaxially braided CFRP for improved vehicular crashworthiness

Charles R. Ruggeri, Rudy T. Haluza, J. Michael Pereira, Sandi G. Miller, Charles E. Bakis, Kevin L. Koudela

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Impact Dynamics Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center recently developed a pneumatically actuated crash sled for investigating the crush behavior of structural elements for vehicular applications. The apparatus includes an adjustable striker mass and specimen support mass, which are mounted on separate rails. This setup provides two advantages over crash sleds with so-called fixed specimen supports: (1) it allows for multiple independent measurements of the crush response using different instruments; and (2) the specimen support can be varied and its reaction can be explicitly measured. This paper describes the experimental setup and data analysis methodology and illustrates the capability of the sled for measuring the specific energy absorption (SEA) of triaxially braided carbon/epoxy composite C-channels and corrugated plates. The corrugated plate had a higher SEA than the C-channel, and the SEAs did not vary when the striker mass and velocity were changed so that incident energy was constant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEarth and Space 2021
Subtitle of host publicationMaterials, Structures, Dynamics, and Control in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
EditorsPaul J. van Susante, Alaina Dickason Roberts
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages215-228
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9780784483381
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments: Materials, Structures, Dynamics, and Control in Extreme Environments, Earth and Space 2021 - Seattle, United States
Duration: Apr 19 2021Apr 23 2021

Publication series

NameEarth and Space 2021: Materials, Structures, Dynamics, and Control in Extreme Environments - Selected Papers from the 17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments

Conference

Conference17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments: Materials, Structures, Dynamics, and Control in Extreme Environments, Earth and Space 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period4/19/214/23/21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Building and Construction
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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