Effects of triggers on the energy absorption behavior of sine-wave beam and the crush morphology

The composite sine-wave beam is a typically function-integrated structure for energy absorption application. The crushing peak stress and the progressive mean stress associated to the specific energy absorption ratio are critical for the function. Both of them are controlled significantly by the trigger system embedded in the beam. In this study, three trigger systems were designed and manufactured including an end bore weakened, chamfer weakened and gradient weakened beam, respectively. The crush experiments and the macro-and micro structural studies showed that the different triggers greatly affected the peak stress, the mean stress and the crush mechanism. The end chamfer weakened trigger exhibited the relatively best energy absorption behavior characterized by the peak stress, mean stress and the specific energy absorption ratio.