Influence of Grains Shape Irregularity in Porous Ceramics—Numerical Study

The presented study deals with the analysis of the stochastic geometry of grains on ceramic foam strength behavior. A microstructural finite element (FE) model of a grainy structure of such a material was developed and stochastic changes to the grain geometry (initially of a regular cubic shape) were introduced. The numerical compression test of a series of finite element models was carried out with the use of LS Dyna computer code. To consider the ceramic specific behavior, the Johnson Holmquist constitutive model was implemented with parameters for alumina. The influence of the stochastic irregularities on the ceramic foam strength was observed—the geometry changes caused an increase in the maximum stress, which could be the basis for the indication that the production of the energy absorbing material should be based on mostly irregular grains.