Dynamic response of multilayer curved aluminum honeycomb sandwich beams under low-velocity impact

In this paper, the dynamic response of multilayer curved aluminum honeycomb sandwich beams under low-velocity impact is investigated experimentally. The deformation process and final failure modes of multilayer curved aluminum honeycomb sandwich beams are observed and analyzed. The numerical calculation is conducted, and the numerical results are in good agreement with experimental ones. The effects of core thickness, core-thickness gradient, and gradient of inscribed circle diameters in upper and lower honeycombs on the load-carrying capacity and energy absorption of multilayer curved aluminum honeycomb sandwich beams are explored. It is shown that the multilayer curved sandwich beam has the best energy absorption capacity when the thicknesses of upper and lower cores are same. The total energy absorption of the specimen with the lower layer of 30 mm and the upper layer of 10 mm is 63.7% of that of the specimen with upper and lower layers of same thickness, and the total energy absorption of the specimen with the lower layer of 10 mm and the upper layer of 30 mm is 53.5% of that of the specimen with upper and lower layers of same thickness, respectively, under 40 J impact energy. In the range of curvature angle from 20°to 60°, the energy absorption capacity and mitigation ability of the multilayer curved sandwich beam can be effectively improved. Also, increasing the face-sheet thickness can effectively improve the energy absorption capability of multilayer curved sandwich beams. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd