The Numerical Simulation of Foam – An Example of Inter-Industrial Synergy

Abstract

Low density foams made by some expansion process of polymeric materials are widely used in industry. Their main mechanical characteristic is the high compressibility expressed by the near zero value of the Poisson’s ratio. The numerical simulation of these materials remained secondary and enigmatic throughout the 1980’s. It was the automotive safety related CAE work that prompted systematic research into a methodology for the reliable and predictive simulation of foam materials in the 1990’s. This research program was carried out by an FAT working group and would last 12 years. Complementary work preliminary with respect to high velocity impact, sever shear deformation and tensile fracture was performed by NASA during the Columbia accident investigation and the results of this development work have in turn benefited the automotive industry. The article reviews the history of the foam simulation related R& D work during the last 2 decades.