Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study has investigated the mechanical properties of the constituent materials of a novel structural composite sandwich panel developed for structural applications. Properly designed and carefully conducted experiments using coupon specimens following ISO and ASTM test standards were performed to characterize the flexural, tensile, compressive and shear properties of the fiber composite skins and the modified phenolic core of the composite sandwich structure. As a general behavior, the glass fiber composite skins behaved linearly elastic up to failure in both tension and compression with the tensile strength much higher than the compressive strength. The modified phenolic core behaved linearly elastic in tension but exhibited non-linear behavior in compression. The modified phenolic core material exhibited higher strength and modulus in shear and compression compared to the traditional core material systems. The improved mechanical properties of the core structure combined with the high-strength and lightweight glass fiber composite skins suggest a high potential of the novel composite sandwich panel for structural applications. Furthermore, the results of this study provide an understanding of the fundamental behavior of the constituent materials of a novel sandwich structure providing a base knowledge from which further research could continue.

Keywords

novel sandwich structure glass fiber composites phenolic core mechanical characterization coupon test

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

ASTM Standard C274. ASTM standard terminology of structural sandwich constructions. ASTM C274-99. West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM International, 1999.

Belouettar

Abbadi

Azari

. Experimental investigation of static and fatigue behaviour of composite honeycomb materials using four point bending tests. Compos Struct 2009; 87(3): 265–273.

Russo

Zuccarello

. Experimental and numerical evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of GFRP sandwich panels. Compos Struct 2007; 81: 575–586.

Bakis

Bank

Brown

. FRP composites in construction – state of the art review. ASCE Compos Constr J 2002; 6(2): 78–87.

Keller

. Material tailored use of FRP composites in bridge and building construction, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, 2006.

Mai

Fleck

. Optimal design of box-section sandwich beams in three–point bending. Int J Solids Struct 2007; 44: 4742–4769.

Shenhar

Frostig

Altus

. Stresses and failure patterns in the bending of sandwich beams with transversely flexible cores and laminated composite skins. Compos Struct 1996; 35: 143–152.

Galletti

Vinquist

Es-Said

. Theoretical design and analysis of a honeycomb sandwich structure loaded in pure bending. Eng Fail Anal 2008; 15: 555–562.

Feichtinger

Elkin

. Properties of structural sandwich core materials: hand lay-up vs vacuum-infusion processing, St Louis, USA: American Composites Manufacturers Association, 2006.

10.

Vinson

. The behaviour of sandwich structures of isotropic and composite materials, Lancaster, Pa: Technomic, 1999.

11.

Torre

Kenny

. Impact testing and simulation of composite sandwich structures for civil transportation. Compos Struct 2000; 50: 257–267.

12.

Brocca

Bazant

Daniel

. Microplane model for stiff foams and finite element analysis of sandwich failure by core indentation. Int J Solids Struct 2001; 38: 8111–8132.

13.

Marsh G. Augmenting core values. Reinforced plastics 2007. http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/3729/augmenting-core-values (2007, accessed 25 April 2008).

14.

Grenestedt

Bekisli

. Analyses and preliminary tests of a balsa sandwich core with improved shear properties. Int J Mech Sci 2003; 45: 1327–1346.

15.

. A study on composite honeycomb sandwich panel structure. Mater Des 2008; 29: 709–713.

16.

Kooistra

Wadley

HNG

. Lattice truss structures from expanded metal sheet. Mater Des 2007; 28: 507–514.

17.

Reis

Rizkalla

. Material characteristics of 3-D FRP sandwich panels. Constr Build Mater 2008; 22: 1009–1018.

18.

Wicks

Hutchinson

. Optimal truss plates. Int J Solids Struct 2001; 38: 5165–5183.

19.

Demelio

Genovese

Pappalettere

. An experimental investigation of static and fatigue behaviour of sandwich composite panels joined by fasteners. Compos Part B 2001; 32: 299–308.

20.

Van Erp G and Rogers D. A highly sustainable fibre composite building panel. In: Proceedings of the international workshop on fibre composites in civil infrastructure – past, present and future, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 1–2 December 2008.

21.

Santos-Neto

La Rovere

. Flexural stiffness characterization of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) pultruded beams. Compos Struct 2007; 81: 274–282.

22.

International Standard. Textile-glass-reinforced plastics – prepregs, moulding compounds and laminates – determination of the textile glass and mineral-filler content – calcination methods. ISO 1172:1996. Geneva: ISO, 1996.

23.

International Standard. Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – determination of flexural properties. ISO 14125: 1998. Geneva: ISO, 1998.

24.

International Standard. Plastics – determination of tensile properties - part 1: general principles. ISO 527-1:1995. Geneva: ISO, 1995.

25.

International Standard. Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – determination of compressive properties in the in-plane direction. ISO 14126:1999. Geneva: ISO, 1999.

26.

ASTM Standard D5379. Standard test method for shear properties of composite materials by the V-notched beam method. ASTM D5379/D5379M-93. West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM International, 1993.

27.

ASTM Standard D638. Standard test method for tensile properties of plastics. ASTM D638-91. West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM International, 1991.

28.

ASTM Standard C365. Standard test method for flatwise compressive properties of sandwich cores. ASTM C365-94. West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM International, 1994.

29.

ASTM Standard C39. Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM C39/C39M-05e1. West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM International, 2005.

30.

Bootle

. Wood in Australia: types, properties and uses, Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1983.

31.

Haj-Ali

Kilic

. Nonlinear behavior of pultruded FRP composites. Compos Part B 2002; 33: 171–191.

32.

Beckwith

. Sandwich core materials and technologies – part I. SAMPE J 2008; 44(4): 30–31.

33.

Bank

Gentry

Thompson

. A model specification for FRP composites for civil engineering structures. Constr Build Mater 2003; 17: 405–437.

34.

Gay

Hoa

. Composite materials: design and applications 2007, 2nd edn. New York, NY: CRC Press.

35.

Wolfe RA and Weiner M. Compression testing – comparison of various test methods. Florida, USA: Composites 2004 Convention and Trade Show, American Composites Manufacturers Association, 2004.

36.

Gibson

Ashby

. Cellular solids: structures and properties 1997, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Mechanical properties characterization of the skin and core of a novel composite sandwich structure

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References