Currently, stacking condition related to the energy absorption of composite materials is
being considered as an issue for the structural efficiency and safety of automobiles, aerospace
vehicles, trains, ships even elevators during collision. In particular, CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced
plastics) composite materials have found wide applicability because of their inherent design
flexibility and improved material properties. The most important objective in designing automobiles
is currently to focus on environment-friendly aspect and safety performance aspect. Therefore, the
designing automobile should be more concerned on the aspect of securing safety performance, but
at the same time, it also should consider reducing weight of automobile structural member. In this
study, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) side members with single-hat-section shaped were
manufactured. The axial static collapse tests were performed for the members using universal
testing machine, and the collapse mode and energy absorption characteristics were analyzed
according to stacking condition such as fiber orientation angle and shape of the section.