Energy absorption of metallic structures involving ductile tearing

When a structure such as a vehicle body is subjected to collision, the kinetic energy is dissipated largely by plastic deformation. This may be accompanied with ductile tearing as a result of excessive plastic straining. This paper summarises the studies of such problems. Presented are the measurement of ductile tearing energy for in-plane (mode I) and out-of-plane (mode III) tearing, splitting of metal tubes of both square and circular sections, and cutting of a metal plate by a wedge. They represent possible approaches to this class of problems and show some interesting features embedded.