Energy Absorption Property of Aluminum Foam Sandwich Panels Under Compression Load

Based on the structural features of aluminum foam sandwich (AFS) panels, random two-dimensional models of AFS panels are established by combing C++ and ANSYS/LS-DYNA in this work. During the compression process, the simulation studies on energy absorption property of AFS panels are conducted through the orthogonal experiment, range analysis and variance analysis. Four variables including porosity P, cell radius R, loading rate V and thickness of aluminum foam core H have been considered in the above research. The results indicate that for the energy absorption property of AFS panels, the influence of these variables from high to low in order is: porosity, cell radius, loading rate, thickness of aluminum foam core. Moreover, the combination of the optimal absorbed energy of AFS panels is P1R1V4H4. In addition, the obtained results also show that the absorbed energy by AFS panels decreases with the increase in the porosity or cell radius, but increases gradually under a higher loading rate. Meanwhile, the influence of parameter H on the energy absorption of AFS panels is not found.