Dynamic response of sandwich spherical shell with graded metallic foam cores subjected to blast loading

Finite element simulations were conducted to investigate the dynamic responses of metallic sandwich spherical shells with graded aluminum foam cores under inner blast loading. The deformation of spherical shells, the energy absorption of each core layer, and the propagation characteristic of stress waves in the foam core layers were analyzed and discussed. The spherical shells exhibited an overall inflation–deformation mode as the foam cores were compressed gradually. The arrangement of the core layers with different relative densities had significant effects on the dynamic plastic responses of the spherical shells. The core layer arrangements of 15%–20%–10% and 20%–15%–10% (relative densities) from inside to outside demonstrate the optimal resistance to blast loading.