Influence of multiple structural parameters on buffer performance of a thin-walled circular tube based on the coupling modeling technique

Abstract

Pyrotechnic devices are widely used in the aerospace and defense industries. However, these devices generate high-frequency and high-amplitude shock responses during their use, compromising safe operation of the system. In this paper, the application of a thin-walled circular tube as the energy absorber in pyrotechnic devices is investigated. To accurately predict the shock load and the buffer performance of the thin-walled circular tube, a coupled model connecting the energetic material combustion and finite element simulation is established. The validity of the coupled model is verified by comparing with experiments. Then, the collapse mechanism of the thin-walled circular tube is studied, and the influence of multiple structural parameters on its buffer performance is analyzed. The results show that the thin-walled circular tube effectively reduces the shock overload. The maximum shock overload reduced from 572 612g to 11 204g in the studied case. The structural parameters of the thin-walled circular tube mainly affect the deformation process and the maximum shock overload. The order of importance of structural parameters to the maximum shock overload is determined, among which the wall thickness has the most significant effect.