The　dynamic　responses　and　blast　resistance　of　all-metallic　sandwich　plates　with　functionally　graded　close-celled　aluminum　foam　cores　are　investigated　using　finite　element　simulations,　and　compared　with　those　of　ungraded　single-layer　sandwich　plates.　Upon　validating　the　numerical　approach　using　existing　experimental　data　and　introducing　the　present　computational　model,　different　graded　sandwich　plates　under　air　blast　loading　are　analyzed　in　terms　of　deformation　and　blast　resistance.　The　effects　of　face-sheet　arrangements　and　interfacial　adhesion　strength　between　different　foam　layers　are　quantified.　The　results　demonstrate　that　relative　to　conventional　ungraded　plates　subjected　to　identical　air　blast　loading,　the　graded　plates　possess　smaller　central　transverse　deflection　and　superior　blast　resistance,　with　further　improvement　achievable　by　optimizing　the　foam　core　arrangement.　The　blast　resistance　of　both　graded　and　ungraded　sandwich　plates　subjected　to　the　constraint　of　equivalent　mass　is　also　explored.　(C)　2014　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.