An improved predictive model for local deformational behavior of sandwich panels with gradient metallic foam cores

AN improved predictive method is presented to predict the local indentation of the sandwich panel with two types of gradient foam core under a spherical indenter, which are called positive gradient foam core and negative gradient foam core, respectively. Especially for the negative foam core, a gradient influence function is defined which is proposed to describe the effects of gradient change of foam cores on local deformational behavior of sandwich panels. The analytic solutions for the plastic deformation profile of upper face sheet and the indentation force of spherical indenter are obtained, which are validated using the existing theoretical model and finite element code ABAQUS®. Subsequently, the influences of the gradient change on indentation response and energy absorption of sandwich panels with gradient metallic foam core are also investigated.