Finite element simulation of mechanical behaviour of nickel-based metallic foam structures

In this paper, numerical simulation by finite elements is performed in order to study the mechanical behaviour of foam structures subjected to tension loading. The anisotropic cellular model of Gibson and Ashby is taken like reference in our simulation. The foam structure, constituted by struts and connection stems, is modelled by space beam finite elements. This led to a parametric analysis showing the evolution of foam Young modulus according to some geometrical parameters of the cellular network structure, such as shape and dimensions of cross-section, connection stem length.