The effect of fiber filled square tube in energy absorption under quasi-static loading

Abstract

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the specific energy absorbed of square mild steel tube (as received). Square tubes tested when empty and filled with Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) and Oil Palm Frond (OPF) fiber. All specimens that were tested under quasi-static loading show, an initial collapse occurs at a peak load, and then followed by amplitude of the little peaks, but not all of them show clear progressive folding mechanism. The average crushing load and subsequently the specific energy absorption of fiber-filled tubes were found to increase as the fiber densification increases. This is due to the change of mode of collapse from diamond mode to concertina as well as to the compression of fiber itself.