Abstract: Axial crushing energy dissipation behavior of glass/epoxy round tubes is investigated both dynamically and quasi-statically. Three macroscopic collapse modes are observed and summarized during the stable crushing process: they are lamina bending, local buckling and transverse shearing. From the view-point of microscopic mechanism, energy dissipation mechanisms are studied for different macro collapse modes, and their energy absorption capabilities are compared in details. As the winding angle increased, energy absorption efficiency of the composite tube is improved, because the controlling energy dissipation mechanism is changing from matrix fracture to fiber/matrix fracture. Energy absorption characteristics are also compared between the impact test and quasi-static test; for tubes of ₅ and ₅, energy absorption capability in the impact test is higher than that in quasi-static loading, whereas for tubes with the plying angle greater than 45°, the situation is opposite.