Objectives  In order to understand the energy absorption mechanism of glass fiber/resin composite foam sandwich panels under bending load, the numerical simulation analysis and experimental study were carried out from the angle of energy dissipation.

  Methods  The finite element analysis model for glass fiber/resin composite foam sandwich panels was established based on finite element software ABAQUS to simulate and analyze the typical failure mode and energy absorption mechanism under three-point bending and compare the numerical simulation results with test results. Furthermore, the influence of the thickness of the panel and the core on the bearing capacity and energy absorption capacity was further analyzed based on the analysis of the validity of the numerical model.

  Results  The results show that an increased thickness of composite face sheet can provide higher energy absorption mechanism of glass fiber/resin composite foam sandwich panels.

  Conclusions  The study in this paper can provide reference for the engineering protection application design of glass fiber/resin composite foam sandwich structure, which has certain theoretical significance and engineering application value.