Energy dissipation and associated failure modes when axially loading polygonal thin-walled cylinders

The crumpling mechanisms of thin-walled octagonal steel tubes subjected to axial static compression and their efficiency as energy absorbing components under impact conditions are investigated and compared with the equivalent circular and square tubes of same material. Both inextensional and extensible collapse mechanisms are theoretically analysed. Theoretically predicted values based on the deformation modes encountered, as well as experimentally obtained ones, are compared and found to be in good agreement. © 1991