Experimental Testing of Aluminum Foam Filled Stainless Steel Braided Tubes Subjected to Transverse Impact

The findings from an experimental study investigating the mechanical response and deformation mechanisms of empty and aluminum foam filled braided stainless steel tubes are presented within this thesis. Tube specimens were impacted using a custom built pneumatic gun and projectile at incident velocities ranging from roughly 21 m/s to 27 m/s. Deformation and failure mechanisms resulting from the impact process were identified through the use of a high speed, high-resolution camera. Aluminum foam cores of density levels ranging from 179.22 kg/m3 to 520.47 kg/m3 were incorporated within the braided tubes having rectangular foam core geometry. Cores possessing density levels greater than 400 kg/m3 were detrimental to structure performance. A comparison of the mechanical responses of empty and foam tube specimens tested under quasi-static and dynamically applied transverse impact loads was also completed. Findings from the comparison indicate braided tube specimens experience an earlier initiation of progressive tube failure when compared to quasi-statically tested specimens