Strain, strain rate and temperature are the key parameters in the deformation characterization of thin walled structures subjected to high strain rate loading. The two contradictory phenomena, viz., strain hardening and thermal softening take place during high strain rate deformation. Proper material model should be used in the numerical analysis for better prediction of the actual deformation behaviour. Understanding the effect of these variables in case of dynamic progressive buckling is essential to understand and improve the energy absorption capability of the structures. Numerical simulation and validation of compression response of an aluminum tubular member is performed using LS-DYNA® explicit solver. Johnson-cook constitutive model is used in the present work which incorporates strain hardening and thermal softening at high strains. The results of a parametric study aimed at understanding the crushing force profile and energy absorption pattern at high strain rates are presented. © 2016 Universiti Putra Malaysia. All rights reserved.