Structural Crashworthiness and Failure

This book contains twelve invited lectures from the Third International Symposium on Structural Crashworthiness. Particular emphasis is given to the failure predictions for ductile metal structures under large dynamic loads and to the behaviour of composite and cellular structures. Coverage includes mechanical, structural, automobile and marine engineering topics. Thus, it is likely that the field of structural crashworthiness and failure will continue to grow in importance. It is also evident from this book that much has already been achieved but areas are highlighted in which further understanding of the basic mechanics is still required as well as the generation of design methods and design data. Chapters 1 to 4 focus on the failure of ductile metal structures and Chapter 5 examines a related topic on the perforation of metal tubes. Chapters 6 to 8 examine the behaviour of non-metal structures subjected to various large dynamic loads. Chapter 9 explores the importance of material elasiticity on the behaviour of structures which are subjected to dynamic loads producing large plastic strains. McGregor et al. in Chapter 10, have examined the impact performance of aluminium structures, mainly from the viewpoint of the crashworthiness resistance of automobile structures. Carney in Chapter 11 discusses the energy dissipation characteristics of impact attenuation systems such as guardrail end protection and crash cushions used for motorway safety applications in the United States. The final chapter returns to the failure of structural members but this time for the crushing, cutting and tearing of ships scantlings associated with grounding damage.