Parametric study of experimental and numerical simulation of sandwich composite structures flexural behaviour

Abstract

Sandwich panels with composite/steel skin sheets and foam core are very often used as lightweight structures in automotive, maritime and aerospace applications due to their performances like high bending stiffness and strength and also lightweight. As an alternative to classical structural reinforced panels, the sandwich structures are justifying their use in various industrial fields, making these structures less complex, by eliminating the need for secondary stiffening. In the paper are presented three models of sandwich, steelfoam-steel, composite-foam-composite or steel-foam-composite structures, of different thicknesses, with functional use in various fields depending on necessities. The mechanical characteristics of the materials used in their manufacture have been determined. The panels have been subjected to various load cases in order to determine an optimal combination of weight and strength. At the same time, the numerical models used in the finite element analysis of the sandwich structures with specific elements for layered composites or sandwich (SHELL 4L and SOLID L) are presented.