Homogenization finite element analysis considering 3-dimensional microscopic structure of open cell polyurethane foam

Abstract

In this study, three-dimensional homogeneous finite element analysis consisting of hyperelastic beams were conducted to predict macroscopic mechanical characteristics of open cell polyurethane foam while considering its microscopic structure. Homogenization theory was applied to original finite element analysis code, and unit cells for simulation were assumed to be subject to periodic boundary conditions. The polyurethane matrix was assumed to be represented by incompressible hyperelasticity. The material parameters for the polyurethane matrix were identified with the tensile loading test results. To verify the effect on mechanical properties given by the structure of unit cell, cubical unit cell model and truncated octahedral unit cell model were proposed. Furthermore, compression tests on polyurethane foam with various relative densities were conducted to verify the applicability of the analysis. The analysis results had good agreement with the compression test results.