Numerical simulations of quasi-static indentation and low velocity impact of Rohacell 51 WF foam

Abstract

Numerical simulations of quasi-static indentation and low velocity impact of low density polymethacrylimide (PMI) Rohacell 51 WF foam using indenters with different nose shapes (conical, truncated-conical, hemi-spherical and flat) were carried out using the finite element code LS-DYNA. A 2D axisymmetric model was generated. A strain-rate dependent material model and r-adaptive remeshing were used for low velocity impact simulations. Numerical predictions matched the available experimental data very well. Moreover, the predicted resistance force closely matched the empirical results. The results demonstrated the ability of the model to reproduce the deformation mechanisms of the penetration process of Rohacell 51 WF foam.