Effects of cutout and impact loading condition on crashworthiness characteristics of conical frusta

This study focuses on the axial and oblique low-velocity impact response of thin-walled aluminium conical frusta with circular cutouts at two different locations through experimental and finite element procedures. In this regard, a circular cutout was laterally introduced on 15°, 25°, and 35° semi-apical angled conical frusta at mid-height (0.5 Hc) and three-fourth (0.75 Hc) of axis height. The low-velocity axial and oblique impact loading was performed with the perfect and imperfect (i.e. hole) conical frusta by varying the impact angle from 0° to 20° to the frustum axis and impact velocity from 4 m/s to 8 m/s. The changes in energy absorption (Eabs) and specific energy absorption (SEA) characteristics of perfect and imperfect conical frusta were analysed with the change of semi-apical angle of the frusta, location of the cutout, impact angle and direction of impact. The results show that the crush performance of 35° semi-apical angled perfect conical frustum is found to be better than 15° and 25° semi-apical angled specimens. Further, the SEA capacity of 25° semi-apical angled conical frusta having cutout at 0.75 Hc is found to be better than the SEA capacity of conical frusta having cutout at 0.5 Hc.