Non-Axial Crushing of E-Glass/Polyester Pultruded Tubes

Abstract

Two types of non-axial crushing, off-axis crushing and angled crushing, have been identified and significant differences found between the E-glass/polyester pultruded tubes crushed in these different configurations. Energy absorption for the two types of crushing was found also to vary significantly with the angle of inclination, with the difference being largest at high angles of inclination. Reasons for energy absorption differences between the crushing configurations include the initiation of different crack patterns, different loading of individual fibers, and altered friction. For all angles, the load required for continued crushing was found to fluctuate more for off-axis crushing than for angled crushing.