Carbon Foam Core Composite Sandwich Beams: Flexure Response

Abstract

The possibility of utilizing an open-cell carbon foam in structural applications is assessed through integrated testing and computational analysis. The structural elements considered are sandwich beams with carbon-epoxy laminate face sheets and carbon foam core subjected to bending loads. The primary damage mode observed is the formation of shear cracks in the carbon foam core at a measured axial strain of 2473 me on the face sheet. Subsequently, three-dimensional FEA models are developed to identify the damage modes and the progressive damage pattern for an isotropic carbon foam core. Results of the computational simulations – displacements, axial strains, and damage modes – correlated well with the test outcome.