This chapter focus on numerical crashworthiness analysis of straight thinwalled columns with octagonal cross sections. Two
important issues in this analysis are demonstrated here: computer modeling and crashworthiness design. In the first part,
this chapter introduces a method of developing simplified finite element (FE) models for the straight thin-walled octagonal
columns, which can be used for the numerical crashworthiness analysis. Next, this chapter performs a crashworthiness design
for such thin-walled columns in order to maximize their energy absorption capability. Specific energy absorption (SEA) is
set as the design objective, side length of the octagonal cross section and wall thickness are selected as design variables,
and maximum crushing force (Pm) occurs during crashes is set as design constraint. Response surface method (RSM) is employed to formulate functions for
both SEA and Pm.
Keywords Axial crushing - Thin-walled column - Octagonal section - Simplified model - Crashworthiness analysis - Design optimization - Response surface method (RSM) - Finite element analysis (FEA)