Dynamic crushing behavior of 3D closed-cell foams based on Voronoi random model

Dynamic crushing responses of three-dimensional cellular foams are investigated using the Voronoi tessellation technique and the finite element (FE) method. FE models are constructed for such closed-cell foam structures based on Voronoi diagrams. The plateau stress and the densification strain energy are determined using the FE models. The effects of the cell shape irregularity, impact loading, relative density and strain hardening on the deformation mode and the plateau stress are studied. The results indicate that both the plateau stress and the densification strain energy can be improved by increasing the degree of cell shape irregularity. It is also found that the plastic deformation bands appear firstly in the middle of the model based on tetrakaidecahedron at low impact velocities. However, the crushing bands are seen to be randomly distributed in the model based on Voronoi tessellation. At high impact velocities, the "I" shaped deformation mode is clearly observed in all foam structures. Finally, the capacity of foams absorbing energy can be improved by increasing appropriately the degree of cell shape irregularity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.