Trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate

Abstract The unique deformation and energy absorption mechanisms of sandwich plates under trouser tearing conditions are not yet well understood. In this paper, trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate under tensile loading is investigated by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. An analytical model for trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate is established, considering foam compression, plastic bending deformation, unbending deformation and tearing of the cracks. The finite element simulation of trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate is conducted to verify the theoretical model, showing good consistency between the numerical and analytical results. The effects of the trouser leg width, foam thickness, bending radius and foam strength on trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate is discussed. The tearing load and energy absorption increases with the increase of trouser leg width, foam thickness and foam strength. The tearing load and energy absorption decreases with the increase of bending radius. It is found that these factors have crucial influence on the trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate. The present theoretical model can effectually predict the trouser tearing fracture characteristics of the metal foam sandwich plate.