Failure analysis of chosen 3D numerical models of an open cell foam

Metal and polyurethane foams exhibit interesting properties. They are light, have good acoustic and/or magnetic isolation as well as ability to absorb the vibration and impact energy. They are used for sandwich panels, impact absorbers (i.e. as elements of the buffer constructions in rail vehicles), fillers ofconstruction parts, bodies of vehicles (i.e. floating combat vehicles) and for dividing walls of vessels and others. Speciflcally made open cell foams demonstrate auxetic properties and the shape memory effect. Such materials are very good for seats in aircrafts which may protect pilots and passengers during crashes and limit heavy backbone injuries. Foams are used for filtering purposes. Foams or their in combination with different types of fillers (i.e. elastomers) or the ceramic reinforcement may be used in impact energy absorbing panels for military aim (protection against an explosion shock wave and splinters). In the paper aluminium open-cell foam structures were investigated for their energy absorption ability. For this purpose a series of numerical 3D models were applied. Geometry of the models was based on Kehin's polyhedrons. Tests of uniaxial compression were simulated with the use of LS-Dyna computer code. Complex contact phenomena were considered. Preliminary test were performed with the use of single foam cell models. Further simulations were conducted using 3x3x3 cell models. The results were analyzed as force/time characteristics.