The superior weight normalized properties of aluminum foam make it useful in sandwich panels. Its high-energy absorption capabilities are utilized in impact isolation. A problem that arises in the use of foam is the inadequate information of its behavior in the presence of notches or holes that exist whenever foam must be attached to other materials via bolts, rivets, etc. Double-Edge-Notched (DEN) and Single-Edge-Notched (SEN) specimens of Alporas, were tested in compression and their respective net section strength values were compared to those of un-notched ones. The results reveal a strength enhancement for the DEN specimens but no enhancement is seen for the SEN specimens. By reviewing the full field in-plane strain maps of the specimens and by comparing macroscopic and microscopic trends, two competitive modes of deformation are observed. These were compaction and shearing of cells while accompanied by rotation. The DEN specimens exhibit localized bands of cell compaction and rotation emanating from the notches that later switch to horizontal bands of cell compaction close to the middle of the ligament. In contrast, the SEN specimens exhibit a horizontal band of cell compaction emanating from the notch without significant cell rotation. In the DEN specimen the radial strain distribution was exponentially dependent in the distance from the crack tip center. Such trend is especially present in the localized deformation band. The deviatoric-strain-field is similar to an HRR- type crack-tip-field undergoing Mode-1 plane strain deformation. The mean-strain-field arises from the pressure sensitivity of the plastic deformation of the cellular material. Utilizing the experimental observations, a phenomenological model is developed to account for the strengthening of the DEN specimens. The experimental trend is rationalized within the prediction of a non-local continuum response of elastic material. This study has implications on the methodology of integrating cellular materials to mechanical and load bearing structures. When bolts are employed, the corresponding hole patterns should be symmetric. Utilizing the geometric constraints of the symmetric loading would provide an enhancement on the load carrying capacity of the structure. The increase in energy absorption of the DEN specimens can possibly be used in the design of impact absorbers.