Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Mechanical Behavior of EVA Foam-filled Cylindrical Sandwich Structures Subjected to Axial Quasi-static and Impact Loading

Energy absorbing systems are used in many engineering structures, especially in moving machines, to prevent or to reduce impact induced damages. The aim of this study is to survey deformation and energy absorption of sandwich structures consisted of two concentric aluminum tubes with EVA polymer foam between them. Two loading methods have been used; quasi-static loading and impact loading. Deformation mode, energy absorption and mean crush force were investigated as mechanical behavior parameters. Moreover, the effects of changes in tubes length and foam density on these parameters have been studied. For parametric study, finite element simulations carried out using LS-Dyna software. Results of the study show that using foam increases energy absorption; the higher the foam density the greater the energy absorption and mean crush force. Furthermore, comparison of folding mechanism between foam-filled structures and empty ones shows that using foam does not affect the folding mode.