Structural integrity of lithium-ion pouch battery subjected to three-point bending

•The role of pouch battery configuration to the battery structural integrity is revealed.•Experimental and numerical analyses of three-point bending test were conducted for different configuration.•Representative Volume Element (RVE) model of the pouch battery is introduced to investigate stress and deformation inside the battery.•The failure mechanisms of the battery using folded configuration and aluminum foil casing are discussed.