Abstract
An acoustic emission based investigation was conducted of damage initiation and progression in cellular foam core sandwich composites. Acoustic characteristics of Mode I and Mode II fracture of PVC foam were determined in Single Edge Notch Bend and End Notch Flexure tests. Core shear fracture initiation and growth were successfully detected in four point bending fatigue tests. Analysis of the acoustic emission signals confirmed that the majority of the damage growth occurs at the peak load levels and the increase in emission signals can be correlated with the reduction in stiffness due to the progression of the fatigue damage.
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