The failure behavior of double-layer metal foam sandwich beams under three-point bending

Abstract

The failure behavior of the double-layer metal foam sandwich beam under three-point bending is investigated experimentally and analytically. Three main failure modes are observed, i.e. indentation, face yield and core shear A-AB. Also, the combined indentation and face yield, and core shear and indentation are observed, respectively. The analytical formulas are given to predict the critical failure loads of double-layer sandwich beams under different failure modes. Analytical results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. The failure mechanism maps of double-layer sandwich beams are constructed, and the minimum mass design of the double-layer metal foam sandwich beam is presented.