Calculation of Compression Stresses for Open Cell Foams
I am investigating the effect of different structural properties on mechanical behavior of open-cell foams using compression tests. The structural properties that I have been considering are cell size, pore size, strut thickness as well as relative density. I am struggling on which surface area to consider for calculating the compression stress values, the "apparent" area which contains struts and pores (calculated by external dimensions of the specimens) or the "real" area which contains the struts only (and not pores).