Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the crashworthiness of aircraft by using the strut system as an energy absorption device without redesigning other components.
Design/methodology/approach
The novel strut system consists of metal stepped thin-walled tubes and articulated connecting hinges. The strut is suffering axial load during impact process for rotating of hinges, and the metal stepped tube has an inversion failure behaviour.
Findings
The metal stepped tube has lower initial impact load and more stable failure behaviour. The geometrical factors have a great influence on the impact load and energy absorption efficiency. The best length ratio between upper and lower sections is about 2:1 and 1:1 for the metal stepped circular and square tubes, respectively.
Practical implications
The metal stepped tube with inversion mechanism is suitable for aircraft strut system to improve crashworthiness performance.
Originality/value
A new strut system is provided using metal inversion failure stepped tubes and articulated connecting hinges to improve crash worthiness of aircraft.