Non-linear behaviour of foam cores and sandwich materials, part 2:: Indentation and three-point bending

This paper validates and applies a modelling procedure for analysing the non-linear behaviour of structures made of foams or sandwich materials with foam cores, subjected to mechanical loading. Modelling considers the non-linear behaviour of foam cores and permits the investigation of the fracture processes induced in the foam cores, in the skin layers or at the interfaces between the foam cores and the skins. Results deduced from the modelling procedure are compared with the experimental results obtained first in the case of indentation tests performed on foams and sandwich materials with foam cores and next in the case of foam sandwich materials subjected to three-point bending tests.