Numerical modelling of low-density cellular materials

In this paper, the effective stress-strain behaviours of four typical low-density 2D structures are comparatively studied by means of finite element analysis using the representative volume element approach. The relation between the relative density and cell wall thickness-to-length ratio for the structures are determined based on geometry analysis and periodic boundary conditions are employed in models of comparable densities. The dependence of the Young's moduli and the collapse strength on cell parameters have been established and compared with analytical solutions. The effect of defects in the form of broken cell walls on deformational behaviour is studied systematically and correlated to the connectivity of the foam based on percolation analysis. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.