<p>The paper demonstrates the ability of beam lattices to reduce the amplitude of a wave generated by the external high-pressure impulse. Therefore such lattices are good candidates for the design of protective layers. The suggested lattice design is based on the comprehensive study of basic phenomena in a mass-spring chain with partly breakable springs. The protection is provided by a specific lattice layout architecture with sacrificial beam elements. The distributed damage caused by their failure weakens the lattice material. However, it remains intact, and the pressure applied to one boundary of the layer diminishes at the opposite boundary. The maximum amplitude is defined by the interaction between the waves of three different types: the leading wave propagating in the undamaged lattice, the phase transition wave following the leading wave, and the unloading wave propagating in the damaged lattice toward the phase transition front. Two phase transition zones may be generated, and their influence on the protection effect is examined.</p>