Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2026-2
Experimental study on failure detection of sandwich panels with different cores under bending,vibration and cyclic impact loading,use of piezoelectric technology
The main objective of this work is to characterise sandwich panels with carbon/epoxy composite skins and cores of different materials (Expanded polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam injection and polyurethane foam sample) under three-point bending tests in free/free vibration and under repeated impact. The analysis of the behavior of the different sandwich panels under bending and vibration aims to determine the flexibility or stiffness of these panels. However, the analysis under repeated impact aims to determine the failure modes and the strength of the three sandwich panels. Indeed, the damage analysis was carried out using piezoelectric sensors connected to an acquisition chain using an advanced signal processing technique, which allows precise detection and quantification of damage. Using piezoelectric technology, this detection system ensures structures’ safety and reliability by allowing early and accurate detection of potential damage. Indeed, relying on piezoelectric sensors bonded to sandwich panels to capture vibration responses can improve its safety, thus reducing maintenance costs and ensuring an extension of its service life. The results of the various tests showed that carbon fibre resin matrix composite skin offers good protection to the different types of cores used in the sandwich panels. In addition, the composite sandwich panel with an expanded polystyrene core responded better than the other panels in bending and vibration tests. In repeated impact tests, the composite sandwich panel with foam core and the composite sandwich panel with injected polyurethane foam core proved effective in absorbing initial impacts. On the other hand, the sandwich panel with an expanded polystyrene core showed its ability to absorb repeated impacts while ensuring more extended degradation than the other two sandwich panels.
KausarAAhmadIRakhaSA, et al.State-of-the-art of sandwich composite structures: manufacturing—to—high performance applications. J Compos Sci2023; 7: 102.
3.
AminFSeyedATHamidrezaM, et al.Experimental and numerical analysis of novel multi-layer sandwich panels under three point bending load. Compos Struct2020; 250: 112631.
4.
TaghizadehSAFarrokhabadiALiaghatG, et al.Characterization of compressive behavior of PVC foam infilled composite sandwich panels with different corrugated core shapes. Thin-Walled Struct2019; 135: 160–172.
5.
DjellabAChellilALechebS, et al.Experimental and numerical investigation of impact behavior in honeycomb sandwich composites. Proc Inst Mech Eng Pt L J Mater Des Appl2024; 238: 1342–1357.
6.
HamidinFFarrokhabadiAAhmadiH. The effect of core shape on the bending response of sandwich panels with filled and unfilled sine and square corrugated cores. J Fail Anal Prev2021; 21: 537–546.
7.
MalekinejadHFarrokhabadiARahimiGH, et al.Skin thickness effects on failure mechanisms in foam infilled composite sandwich structures. J Compos Mater2024; 58: 2457–2471.
8.
HosseinMBAminFGholamHR. Investigation of debonding growth between composite skins and corrugated foam-composite core in sandwich panels under bending loading. Eng Fract Mech2020; 230: 106987.
9.
MarizaTDaurenNNurtayB. Aircraft maintenance 4.0 in an era of disruptions. Procedia Comput Sci2022; 200: 121–131.
10.
ChilibonIMarat-MendesJN. Ferroelectric ceramics by sol–gel methods and applications: a review. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol2012; 64: 571–611.
KimEHRimMSLeeI,et al.Composite damage model based on continuum damage mechanics and low velocity impact analysis of composite plates. Compos Struct2013; 95: 123–134.
13.
KhaliliSMRSoroushMDavarA,et al.Finite element modeling of low-velocity impact on laminated composite plates and cylindrical shells. Compos Struct2011; 93: 1363–1375.
14.
WangXHuBFengY, et al.Low velocity impact properties of 3D woven basalt/aramid hybrid composites. Compos Sci Technol2008; 68: 444–450.
15.
WuZZhangLYingZ, et al.Low-velocity impact performance of hybrid 3D carbon/glass woven orthogonal composite: experiment and simulation. Compos B Eng2020; 196: 108098.
VaidyaUKNelsonSSinnB,et al.Processing and high strain rate impact response of multi-functional sandwich composites. Compos Struct2001; 52: 429–440.
18.
KwangBSJaeYLSeHC. An experimental study of low-velocity impact responses of sandwich panels for Korean low floor bus. Compos Struct2002; 84: 228–240.
19.
RajuKSSmithBLTomblinJS, et al.Impact damage resistance and tolerance of honeycomb core sandwich panels. J Compos Mater2008; 42: 385–412.
20.
ChristophersonJMahinfalahMJazarGN,et al.An investigation on the effect of a small mass impact on sandwich composite plates. Compos Struct2005; 67: 299–306.
21.
LiDXuZOstachowiczW, et al.Identification of multiple cracks in noisy conditions using scale-correlation-based multiscale product of SWPT with laser vibration measurement. Mech Syst Signal Process2020; 145: 106889.
22.
ZhangZZhongYXiangJ, et al.Research on the performance and improvement of uniform linear sensors array-based impact localization method under vibration conditions. IEEE Sensors J2020; 20: 14932–14939.
23.
DiamantiKSoutisC. Structural health monitoring techniques for aircraft composite structures. Prog Aerosp Sci2010; 46: 342–352.
24.
Sierra-PérezJ, et al.Damage detection in composite materials structures under variable loads conditions by using fiber Bragg gratings and principal component analysis, involving new unfolding and scaling methods. J Intell Mater Syst Struct2015; 26: 1346–1359.
25.
BassevilleMBenvenisteAGoursatM,et al.In-flight vibration monitoring of aeronautical structures. IEEE Control Systems2007; 27: 27–42.
26.
OspitiaNAggelisDGTsangouriE. Dimension effects on the acoustic behavior of TRC plates. Materials (Basel)2020; 13: 955.
27.
MurrayBRKalteremidouKACarrella-PayanD, et al.Failure characterisation of CF/epoxy V-shape components using digital image correlation and acoustic emission analyses. Compos Struct2020; 236: 111797.
28.
VeidtMLiewCK. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of aerospace composites: structural health monitoring of aerospace structures using guided wave ultrasonics. In: Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of polymer matrix composites. 2013, pp.449–479. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857093554.3.449.
29.
ZhangZ, et al.Ultrasonic detection and characterization of delamination and rich resin in thick composites with waviness. Compos Sci Technol2020; 189: 108016.
30.
ChristianGMarie-LaetitiaPFlorentE,et al.The detection of aeronautical defects in situ on composite structures using Non Destructive Testing. Compos Struct2011; 93: 1328–1336.
31.
BoYYaodaHLongC. Defect detection and evaluation of ultrasonic infrared thermography for aerospace CFRP composites. Infrared Phys Technol2013; 60: 166–173.
32.
MaierhoferCKrankenhagenRRölligM, et al.Defect characterisation of tensile loaded CFRP and GFRP laminates used in energy applications by means of infrared thermography. Quant Infrared Thermogr J2017; 15: 1–20.
ZardanJPGueudréCCorneloupG. Study of induced ultrasonic deviation for the detection and identification of ply waviness in carbon fibre reinforced polymer. NDT E Int2013; 56: 1–9.
35.
BangchengZYuhengRSimingH, et al.A review of methods and applications in structural health monitoring (SHM) for bridges. Measurement2024; 245: 116575.
36.
GharehbaghiVRNoroozinejadFNooriE, et al.A critical review on structural health monitoring: definitions, methods, and perspectives. Arch Comput Methods Eng2022; 29: 2209–2235.
37.
CanfieldRAMorgensternSDKunzDL. Alleviation of buffet-induced vibration using piezoelectric actuators. Comput Struct2008; 86: 281–291.
38.
KwakMKHeoSJeongM. Dynamic modeling and active vibration controller design for a cylindrical shell equipped with piezoelectric sensors and actuators. J Sound Vib2009; 321: 510–524.
39.
FengTSharif KhodaeiZAliabadiMHF. Influence of composite thickness on ultrasonic guided wave propagation for damage detection. Sensors2022: 22: 7799.
40.
HouariAMadaniKEl AjramiM, et al.Analysis of the substrate nature on the strength of a single-lap joint. J Braz Soc Mech Sci Eng2023; 45: 469.
41.
DjebbarSCMadaniKEl AjramiM, et al.Substrate geometry effect on the strength of repaired plates: combined XFEM and CZM approach. Int J Adhes Adhes2022; 119: 103252.
42.
OudadWMadaniKBouiadjraB, et al.Effet de l’absorption d’humidité par l’adhésif sur les performances des réparations en composite collé dans les structures d’avions. Compos B Eng2012; 43: 3419–3424.
43.
RezganiLMadaniKMokhtariM, et al.Hygrothermal ageing effect of ADEKIT A140 adhesive on the J-integral of a plate repaired by composite patch. J Adhes Sci Technol2017; 32: 1–17.
