Modelling impact response of agglomerated cork

Cellular materials have been intensively used in engineering applications where a good energy absorp- tion capability is a desired feature. Cork is a natural cellular material capable of absorbing considerable amounts of energy. When compared to synthetic cellular materials, cork also appears as a sustainable alternative, once it is fully recyclable. The purpose of this work is to simulate cork’s compressive behav- iour when subjected to impact, including the material’s relaxation after dynamic compression. This study comprises experimental and numerical tests at quasi-static and dynamic strain rates under axial com- pressive loading. Numerical simulations are performed using Finite Element Analysis, and the material model developed is validated against experimental results. After validation, a dynamic test resorting to a drop tower is carried out successfully validating the model and representing adequately cork’s mechan- ical behaviour under dynamic compressions. ?