Multi-objective optimization of multi-cell conical structures under dynamic loads

In this paper,crashworthiness performance of multi-cell conical tubes with new sectional configuration design(i.e.square,hexagonal,octagonal,decagon and circular)has been evaluated under axial and three different oblique loads.The same weight conical tubes were comparatively studied using an experimentally validated finite element model generated in LS-DYNA.Complex proportional assessment(COPRAS)method was then employed to select the most efficient tube using two conflicting criteria,namely peak collapse force(PCF)and energy absorption(EA).From the COPRAS calculations,the multi-cell conical tube with decagonal cross-section(MCDT)showed the best crashworthiness performance.Furthermore,the effects of possible number of inside ribs on the crashworthiness of the decagonal conical tubes were also evaluated,and the results displayed that the tubes performed better as the number of ribs increased.Finally,parameters(the cone angle,θ,and ratio of the internal tube size to the external one,S)of MCDT were optimized by adopting artificial neural networks(ANN)and genetic algorithm(GA)techniques.Based on the multi-objective optimization results,the optimum dimension parameters were found to beθ=7.9o,S=0.46 andθ=8o,S=0.74 from the minimum distance selection(MDS)and COPRAS methods,respectively.

Crashworthiness of double-cell conical tubes with different cross sections subjected to dynamic axial and oblique loads

Thin-walled tubes are increasingly used in automobile industries to improve structural safety.The present work deals with the collapse behavior of double-cell conical tubes subjected to dynamic axial and oblique loads.Crashworthiness of these tubes having different sections(e.g.,circular,square,hexagonal,octagonal,decagonal)was numerically investigated by using an experimentally validated finite element model generated in LS-DYNA.Geometry of these tubes was then optimized by decreasing the cross section dimensions at the distal end while the weight remained unchanged.Octagonal conical tube was finally found to be more preferable to the others as a collision energy absorber.In addition,square and circular tubes showed diamond deformation mode,while the other tubes collapsed in concertina mode.A decision making method called TOPSIS was finally implemented on the numerical results to select the most efficient energy absorber.