Abstract: An energy absorbing bumper that dissipates kinetic energy of a moving mass via conversion to compressive membrane energy stored in a primary beam-column, potential energy stored in two laterally mounted energy absorbers and bending energy stored in a secondary beam-column. During impact the primary beam-column is laterally compressed as it flattens developing a large amount of compressive membrane energy. During deformation, the primary beam-column slides into the secondary beam-column having a central channel that accommodates the primary beam-column.