Low-velocity impact of clamped self-similar hierarchical corrugated foam-filled sandwich beams

The dynamic behavior of the fully clamped self-similar hierarchical corrugated foam-filled sandwich (SHCFS) beams subjected to a heavy mass with low-velocity impact is investigated using theoretical and numerical methods. An analytical model for the dynamic behavior of the fully clamped SHCFS beams subjected to a heavy mass punch with low-velocity impact is established based on the yield criterion with consideration of the interaction between axial force and bending moment. Numerical studies are performed by finite element analysis. The analytical predictions match the numerical results well. The influences of the foam strength, inclined plate thickness and vertical plate thickness, the panel thickness, and the impact point location on the low-velocity impact (LVI) response of the SHCFS beams are discussed. It is shown that the impact resistance of the SHCFS beams significantly improves with increases in the inclined plate thickness and vertical plate thickness of the SHCPs, the thickness of the face-sheets, and the foam strength. Furthermore, as the impact point is farther from the midspan of the beams, the better the impact resistance performance. The present model can provide effective prediction of the LVI response of the SHCFS beams.