Characterization of Aluminum Honeycomb Material Failure in Large Deformation Compression, Shear, and Tearing

Abstract

Large deformation failures of aluminum honeycomb materials in dynamic compression, static shear and static tearing are characterized in this comprehensive experimental study. Two low density honeycomb materials that make up the Offset Deformable Barrier (ODB) used in vehicle crash test were tested. Material characterization methods, including one for studying material tearing, have been developed. The honeycomb material data under large deformation, including complete curves of compression and shear stress-strain relations in the three principal directions, are presented and analyzed. Honeycomb material tearing strength, defined as tearing force per unit tearing length, is introduced. Strain-rate dependence of honeycomb materials under dynamic loading is investigated. Local failure mechanisms of honeycombs in compression, shear, and indentation punch tests and their relations with the bulk properties of the materials are studied in detail. The results of this research may be used to improve the material fidelity of finite element simulations of the ODB.