CRASHWORTHINESS AND ENERGY ABSORPTION ANALYSIS OF MESOCARP COIR-FIBRE/EPOXY RESIN-REINFORCED GLASS FIBER HYBRID COMPOSITE LAMINATE

Authors
  • Malomo, B.O.

    Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Keywords:
Coir-fibre, deformation, energy absorption, structural models
Abstract

Lightweight energy absorbers are increasingly required in state-of the-art automotive applications, but as carbon-fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are prohibitive from an economic standpoint, it is critical to develop representative high-performance alternatives. This study focuses on synthesizing coir-fibre/glass fibre reinforced plastic (CF-GFRP) for optimal energy absorption performance.  A representative volume element (RVE) model was formulated in DIGIMAT 2017.0 to obtain the elastic properties of the coir-fibre and incorporated in synergy with GFRP by the finite element method (FEM) in ABAQUS v.2018 to obtain the load–displacement response and the crashworthiness properties of the laminated structure. Nine structural representations were specified and investigated according to the influence of loading rate, thickness of GFRP and coir-fibre reinforcement concentration according to the criteria (0.5mm/min, 1mm/min, 1.5 mm/min); (1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm) and (40%, 55%, 70%), respectively. Stress-strain plots indicated that as reinforcement volume fraction increased, there was a modification of the deformation profile to signify the influence of GFRP thickness for prolonged deformation range under stable crushing. Maximum strengths were achieved for consistently thicker GFRP plates irrespective of the concentration volume of fibers. Models that indicated a range 17,000N-22,00N of maximum strength were characterized by a significant capacity to resist inhomogeneous deformation due to enhanced period of densification after progressive crushing. Variations in maximum crushing force Fmax was found to be significant and geometrically-sensitive with high values indicated for models under higher loading rates. The energy absorbed (EA) was significant for models that indicated high resistance to peak loads and also those that indicated smoother load-unloading profiles. The specific energy absorbed (SEA) and crush force efficiency (CFE) increased with increasing GFRP thickness for a given reinforcement concentration across the models. The best structural configuration for energy absorption was found by Pareto characterization as experimental validation was found to be consistent with simulated FEM results in establishing the crashworthiness potential of the laminated composite.

 

Author Biography
  1. Malomo, B.O., Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Department of Mechanical Engineering

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2026-03-25
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How to Cite

CRASHWORTHINESS AND ENERGY ABSORPTION ANALYSIS OF MESOCARP COIR-FIBRE/EPOXY RESIN-REINFORCED GLASS FIBER HYBRID COMPOSITE LAMINATE. (2026). FUTA JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, 17(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.51459/futajeet.2023.17.2.573

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