Elastic-plastic sandwich beams with optimized properties for the impact case

An approach for the design of lightweight sandwich beams with optimal performance under low velocity impact loading is presented. Exemplary for beams with stainless steel faces and aluminium foam cores a procedure is proposed that bases on simulation results using an explicit finite element code. Experimental tests assure the accuracy of numerical analyses and provide data to fit the applied plastic compressible material model. By means of a multicriteria optimization method failure mechanisms are identified which dissipate a maximum of energy and lead to minimal deflections as well as to minimal beam thickness and weight at the same time. Face and core thicknesses are used as design variables. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)