Optimizing the crashworthy behaviors of hybrid composite structures through Taguchi approach

This paper calculates the crashworthiness capability of glass‐reinforced epoxy composites over wrapped polyvinyl chloride (PVC) circular tubes with a triggering mechanism in the form of cutouts. The intended tubes were prepared by a wet wrapping method; after which they were subjected to quasi‐static axial compression. To compute crashworthiness indications, three design parameters, each at three levels, were used. The design parameters are the hole diameter (d), the hole's number (n), and the hole position (L). The Taguchi technique has been employed in the design of experiments (DOE) tactic to obtain the best crashworthiness parameters. With the maximum specific energy absorbed (SEA) and crashing force efficiency (CFE), the optimal parameters were found. Furthermore, the main effect, signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N), as well as the analysis of variance (ANOVA), have been studied using the commercial software programme MINITAB 18. A few experiments were accompanied by the L9 orthogonal array. According to the results, “N” has the largest impact on the value of SEA with a contribution percent of 29.27%. While “d” has the main influence on the value of CFE with a contribution percent of 67.29%. Lastly, tests for confirmation were performed. to verify the predicted values in light of the experimental results. The optimized SEA developed tube is 74.72%, which is higher than the intact PVC tube and 12.29% lower than the intact hybrid tube. However, the optimum CFE was also 48 and 29.82% higher than the intact PVC tube and the intact hybrid tube, respectively.

Highlights

The number of holes has the highest impact on SEA value by 29%.