Quasi-Static Axial Compression Behavior and Energy Absorption Evaluation of Steel Foam-Filled Tubes

The aim of this paper is to study the quasi-static axial compressive performance of newly developed steel foam-filled tubes (SFFTs). The energy absorption capability of steel foam-filled tubes was assessed. The results show that steel foam-filled tubes collapse in the axisymmetric-concertina deformation mode. The plateau stress of the plastic deformation of the steel foam-filled tubes decreases with the increase of porosity of steel foams, and is significantly higher than the sum of the identical steel foam and aluminum tube. The absorbed energy per unit volume of the steel foam-filled tubes is 8%~ 15% higher than the sum of those of identical aluminum tubes and steel foams with porosity ranging from 65% to 80%.