Lateral collapse of composite cylindrical tubes between flat platens

A detailed experimental investigation of the quasi-static lateral crushing of composite cylindrical tubes between flat platens has been carried out. Tubes employed were made of glass fibre reinforced with epoxy and their diameter to thickness ratio varied from 7.33 to 39. Typical histories of their deformation are presented. Behaviour of tubes as regards the peak crushing load, post collapse load, energy absorbed and mode of crushing has been discussed. Taking into consideration the mode of collapse of these tubes, as observed in experiments, a mathematical model for predicting the peak collapse load and the post collapse load has been developed. The load–deformation response computed from the mathematical models developed in the study in linear elastic and post collapse state has been compared with the experiments.