Experimental and numerical study on steel–concrete–gradient aluminum foam energy absorbing panels subjected to impact load

This paper presents a new steel–concrete–gradient aluminum foam energy absorbing panel (SC-GF-EAP) and investigates its dynamic behaviours by carrying out the impact tests and Finite Element (FE) simulations. Five specimens were tested to characterize their failure patterns and energy absorption capacities. All the specimens exhibited the same failure mode characterized by global flexure and local indentation of the SC composite panel as well as crushing of gradient aluminum foam panels. The dynamic response of SC-GF-EAP was identified to comprise two stages: loading stage and unloading stage. The influence of thickness of concrete core and aluminum foam on the dynamic characteristics of the SC-GF-EAP was experimentally revealed. A validated FE model was subsequently developed to predict damage distribution of the specimens, with subsequent parametric studies investigating these key parameters: aluminum foam density and hammer shape.