Shape　memory　polymers　(SMPs)　attract　widespread　attention　because　they　are　able　to　maintain　a　temporary　deformation　after　unloading　and　recover　the　initial　shape　under　high　temperature　conditions.　Based　on　a　three-dimensionally　constitutive　equation　of　SMPs,　a　finite　element　program　is　followed　by　compiling　user-defined　material　subroutine,　which　describes　the　shape　memory　behavior　of　thermo-mechanical　experiment.　A　honeycomb　core　using　SMP　is　designed,　which　has　the　ability　to　recover　the　initial　shape　after　deformation　and　be　used　as　a　smart　core　for　sandwich　structures.　To　prove　their　advantages　in　the　engineering　application,　a　series　of　thermodynamic　behaviors　of　the　SMP　honeycomb　core　are　simulated,　including　loading　at　high　temperature,　cooling,　unloading　at　the　low　temperature,　and　recovering　original　shape　on　heating.　Shape　memory　behaviors　of　tensile,　compressive,　bending,　and　locally　sunken　deformations　are　demonstrated　and　the　effect　of　time　and　temperature　on　the　recovery　process　is　discussed.　(c)　2017　Wiley　Periodicals,　Inc.