In this paper were conducted virtual tests to assess the impact of geometry changes on the response of metallic hexagonal honeycomb structures to applied loadings. The lateral compressive stress state was taken into consideration. The material properties used to build numerical models were assessed in laboratory tests of aluminium alloy 7075. The modelling at meso-scale level allow to comprehensive study of honeycomb internal structure. The changes of honeycomb geometry elements such as: fillets radius of the cell edges in the vicinity of hexagonal vertexes, wall thickness were considered. The computations were conducted by using finite element method with application of the ABAQUS finite element method environment. Elaborated numerical models allowed to demonstrate sensitivity of honeycomb structures damage process response to geometry element changes. They are a proper tools to perform optimization of the honeycomb structures. They will be also helpful in designing process of modern constructions build up of the considered composite constituents in various branches of industry. Moreover, the obtained results can be used as a guide for engineers. Conducted virtual tests lead to conclusion that simplification of the models of internal honeycomb structure which have become commonplace among both engineers and scientist can lead to inaccurate results.

The mechanical response of interpenetrating co-continuous composite Al-Si12/SiC3D was described for uniaxial tension and compression. The internal structure of the IPC was examined by optical microscopy and micro-CT. The apparent density and Young’s modulus were assessed theoretically and experimentally. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed using the prismatic samples of dimensions 1 mm × 2 mm × 30 mm. Cylindrical samples of diameters ϕ = 5 mm and height h = 10 mm were subjected to quasi-static uniaxial compressive loading. During tests, the side surfaces of the specimen were observed using a digital image correlation system (DIC) to find strain fields and to monitor the surface cracks development in the complex internal microstructure of the IPC.
The analyzed two-phase ICP was manufactured using ceramic foam SiC infiltrated by alloy Al-Si12. This material finds application in cosmic, airplane, or automobile industries, due to their excellent tribological, heat distribution, and ballistic properties.
Obtained results show different modes of microcracking and fracture of cylindrical and prismatic samples. They indicate the substantial influence of the ceramic skeleton on the behavior of the IPC under uniaxial states of loading. Different modes of damage related to the tension or compression loading were described in detail. The results can find application in the designing process of modern co-continuous IPCs and further development of the numerical models of degradation processes.