FINITE ELEMENT mODELING OF POLYPROPYLENE FOAM UNDER IMP[ACT LOADING

Indentation test of a hemisphere to a foam block has been simulated with ABAQUS/Explicit and the numerical results have been compared with the experimental ones. Both volumetric and isotropic hardening was used for simulation. Relatively good agreement was achieved between isotropic hardening model and the experimental results. However, the model should be modified in order to take into account elastic recession during the unloading phase. In contrast, volumetric hardening model predict that the foam block tear down in early stage of impact. A phenomenon which is neither observed nor reported in real test results.