Impact Behaviour of Spot-Welded Thin-Walled Frusta

In the paper the dynamic response of thin-walled, spot-welded prismatic frusta subjected to axial impact load is investigated. The parametric study into the influence of several parameters on the energy absorption capability, expressed by some crashworthiness indicators is performed, using Finite Element simulations. FE model is validated by experimental results of quasi-static and dynamic (impact) tests. Results of initial study concerning influence of spot welds are presented. Some conclusions are derived from the parametric study into the influence of frustum angle and wall thickness upon the energy absorption capability.