CONSTITUTIVE MODELING AND MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERIC FOAMS

In this study, mechanical properties of three types of polymeric foams (polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyurethane (PU) foams) a re investigated. Focus has been placed on the strain rate and temperat ure effects on these foams under large deformations. Selected experime ntal results from uniaxial compression, hydrostatic compression, and s imple shear tests are presented. A phenomenological hydrodynamic elast oplastic constitutive law is developed to model these polymeric foams. Numerical implementation and validation of the constitutive model are also described.