This study conducted an investigation on transverse quasi-static three-point loading on a circular aluminum tube and its characteristic plastic failure and energy-absorption behaviors. The thin wall thickness of the aluminum tube, the various diameter and thickness ratios (D/t) of the tube, and the tube length are important control parameters. Experimental data for different span length and thickness ratios of the tube were characterized and correlated to its plastic collapse behavior. A simulation model by computational analysis using ANSYS was also conducted as a comparative study. The results of the study found that transverse three-point bend loading (ASTM F290) of a circular aluminum tube underwent different stages of deformation, from initial pure crumpling to crumpling and bending, and finally, structural rupture. The results of master curve analysis found that regions of high energy absorption and low energy absorption can be classified with respect to the characteristic tubular deformation. High energy absorption deformation is correlated with a short span length and higher D/t ratio, and vice versa for low energy absorption deformation of the circular aluminum tube. Simulation analysis also predicted similar characteristic trends of deformation behavior in the experiment, with a less than 3% average coefficient of variation.

本研究对圆形铝管的横向准静态三点载荷及其特征塑性破坏和能量吸收行为进行了研究。铝管的薄壁厚度，各种直径和厚度比（D / t），以及管长是重要的控制参数。表征了不同跨度长度和厚度比的管的实验数据，并将其与塑性塌陷行为相关联。作为比较研究，还进行了通过使用ANSYS的计算分析的仿真模型。研究结果发现，圆形铝管的横向三点弯曲载荷（ASTM F290）经历了不同的变形阶段，从最初的纯压皱到压皱和弯曲，最后是结构破裂。主曲线分析的结果发现，就特征管状变形而言，高能量吸收和低能量吸收的区域可以分类。高能量吸收变形与较短的跨度和较高的D相关/ t比，反之亦然，圆形铝管的能量吸收变形低。仿真分析还预测了实验中变形行为的相似特征趋势，平均变异系数小于3％。