Abstract: | Based on an elaborate mathematical model shaped like an ellipsoidal cell, the Poisson's ratio v31* and Young's modulusE3* are calculated for monotropic (isotropic in the limiting case) plastic foams when loading parallel to the foam rise direction is considered and the hypothesis of half-axis is assumed. The effect of the state of the strut system on the calculation results is studied. The dependence of the calculated elastic constants on the characteristics of plastic foams such as the space filling coefficient, degree of anisotropy and knot parameter is analyzed. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental results as well as the results of other authors.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, University of Latvia, 23 Aizkraukles St., Riga, LV-1006, Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 823–838, November–December, 1998. |