Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: GABRIEL BOMTEMPO ALVARES

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : GABRIEL BOMTEMPO ALVARES
DATE: 15/04/2026
TIME: 13:15
LOCAL: Google meet (meet.google.com/dcq-svgs-isw)
TITLE:

Axial Compression of Aluminium Beams Filled with Bio-based Foams

KEY WORDS:
PAGES: 14
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Mecânica
SUBÁREA: Mecânica dos Sólidos
SUMMARY:

Renewable materials are increasingly in demand within the automotive industry, driven by the search for more sustainable solutions and the reduction of the environmental impact associated with vehicle production. However, replacing structural components with renewable materials still faces challenges related to technical viability and large-scale production. In this context, the use of biodegradable castor oil-based foams emerges as a promising alternative for use as a filler material in thin-walled aluminium beams subjected to axial compression, aiming to evaluate their potential for use in impact absorption devices, such as automotive crash boxes. The motivation for this study is linked to the growing need for vehicle structures capable of efficiently dissipating impact energy, while simultaneously meeting requirements for mass reduction and the incorporation of sustainable materials. Previous studies indicate that filling metallic tubes with cellular materials can stabilise structural collapse, modify deformation modes, and increase energy absorption capacity, although undesirable effects, such as an increase in the initial peak force, may also occur. In light of this, the objective of this work is to analyse the influence of bio-based foams of different densities on the collapse force, deformation mode, and energy absorption capacity of square aluminium profiles. The methodology includes the experimental mechanical characterisation of the aluminium through tensile tests in accordance with the ASTM E8/E8M-22 standard, as well as the controlled manufacture of renewable foams from castor oil-derived polyols. The aluminium beams will be divided into samples with lengths of 50 mm and 100 mm, both with and without foam filling. Quasi-static compression tests will be conducted to obtain force–displacement curves, complemented by the development and validation of a numerical model using the Finite Element Method, employing explicit formulations suitable for highly non-linear problems. It is expected that the foam-filled beams will demonstrate an increased capacity to absorb energy and resist collapse loads.

 

BANKING MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1691537 - TULIO HALLAK PANZERA
Externo ao Programa - 3216668 - MAURICIO DE MOURA NILTON
Externo ao Programa - 1803678 - FABIANO BIANCHINI BATISTA