A multi-parameter nonlinear elasto-plastic constitutive model which can fully capture the three typical features of stress-strain response, linearity, plasticity-like stress plateau and densification phases was developed. The functional expression of each parameter was determined using uniaxial compression tests for aluminum alloy foams. The parameters of the model can be systematically varied to describe the effect of relative density which may be responsible for the changes in yield stress and hardening-like or softening-like behavior at various strain rates. A comparison between model predictions and experimental results of the aluminum alloy foams was provided to validate the model. It was proved to be useful in the selection of the optimal-density and energy absorption foam for a specific application at impact events.
Metallic foam can dissipate a large amount of energy due to its relatively long stress plateau,which makes it widely applicable in the design of structural crashworthiness. However,in some experimental studies,stress enhancement has been observed when the specimens are subjected to intense impact loads,leading to severe damage to the objects being protected. This paper studies this phenomenon on a 2D mass-spring-bar model. With the model,a constitutive relationship of metal foam and corresponding loading and unloading criteria are presented; a nonlinear kinematics equilibrium equation is derived,where an explicit integra-tion algorithm is used to calculate the characteristic of the compressive shock wave propagation within the metallic foam; the effect of heterogeneous distribution of foam microstructures on the shock wave features is also included. The results reveal that under low impact pulses,considerable energy is dissipated during the progressive collapse of foam cells,which then reduces the crush of objects. When the pulse is sufficiently high,on the other hand,stress enhancement may take place,especially in the heterogeneous foams,where high peak stresses usually occur. The characteristics of compressive shock wave propagation in the foam and the magnitude and location of the peak stress produced are strongly dependent on the mechanical properties of the foam material,amplitude and period of the pulse,as well as the homogeneity of the microstructures. This research provides valuable insight into the reliability of the metallic foams used as a protective structure.
WANG ZhiHua1,2,ZHANG YiFen2,REN HuiLan1 & ZHAO LongMao2 1 State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology,Beijing Institute of Technology,Beijing 100081,China
