Low-velocity impact response of geometrically asymmetric slender sandwich beams with metal foam core

The low-velocity impact response of fully clamped slender metal foam core sandwich beams with geometrically asymmetric cross-section struck by a heavy mass at midspan is investigated. The exact and approximate yield criteria for metal sandwich cross-section are presented considering the effect of core strength. Using the yield criteria, the analytical solutions for large deflection of the fully clamped slender sandwich beams, including dynamic and quasi-static solutions, are derived respectively. Also, finite element (FE) calculations are carried out to validate the analytical model. Moreover, the effects of material elasticity and strain hardening of face sheets are considered in FE analysis. Comparisons of the FE results and analytical solutions reveal that the present analytical model enables the acceptable predictions of the low-velocity impact response of fully clamped asymmetric slender sandwich beams. Material elasticity and strain hardening of face sheets have minor effects on dynamic response.