Compressive response of circular cell polycarbonate honeycomb under inplane static and dynamic loads

Abstract

The crushing response of polycarbonate circular cell honeycombs to inplane uniaxial load- ing is studied through a combination of static and dynamic experiments. The circular cell hexagonally packed honeycomb material has a nearly periodic microstructure. The static experiments correspond to a uniaxial loading condition under displacement control in two different principal inplane directions. The corresponding dynamic experiments are carried out using a low velocity impact drop test facility. Three different initial conditions (corresponding to different drop heights) are used in the dynamic tests. In the initial part of the response, the specimens de- form in a almost uniform fashion. Next, a nonlin- ear phase characterized by progressive localization of deformation is observed. The progressive local- ization causes the walls of each cell to contact. The reasons for the observed orthotropic response of the honeycombs are discussed. A comparison of the col- lapse mechanisms between static and dynamic ex- periments is included.