Crashworthiness Performance of Aluminium, GFRP and Hybrid Aluminium/GFRP Circular Tubes under Quasi-Static and Dynamic Axial Loading Conditions: A Comparative Experimental Study

Offshore structures are exposed to risks of vessel collisions and impacts from dropped objects. Tubular members extensively used in offshore construction, thus, there is scope investigate their crashworthiness behaviour. Aluminium, glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) hybrid aluminium/GFRP circular tube specimens were fabricated then tested under quasi-static dynamic axial loading conditions. Two configurations examined: external internal layers respectively aluminium GFRP, vice versa. The material impregnated with epoxy resin woven fabric was allowed cure attached the layer ensure interlayer bonding. tests conducted using a universal testing machine at prescribed crosshead speed 10 mm/min, 78 kg drop hammer released 2.5 m. non-hybrid (aluminium GFRP specimens) outperformed counterparts terms characteristics.