Investigation on Effect of the Pitch of Shear Keys on the In-Plane Shear Performance of Sandwich Panels with PU Foam Core: FE Study

Abstract:

The main problem associated with using composite sandwich panels with foam core is their ability to withstand shear load. The techniques currently available to improve the shear performance and the skin-core debonding resistance of the sandwich structure, necessary for efficient and reliable design, have the drawback of significantly reducing the in-plane mechanical properties of the whole structure. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects induced by inserting a semi-circular shear keys between the skin and the foam core to improve the in-plane shear response of the sandwich structure. Tension, compression and shear tests were performed for a complete static mechanical characterisation of the constituents of the sandwich. The mechanical properties of each component were used as input data in the finite element (FE) analysis using ABAQUS software. Parametric investigation using the FE analysis to select the most suitable pitch of the shear keys taking into consideration the material nonlinearity and the complex interaction between all the mating surfaces is performed. Five different pitches have been investigated namely 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 mm. The results showed that the model with 45 mm pitch represents the most sustainable model among the others.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 376)
• Pages: 158-162
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.376.158
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: A. Mostafa, K. Shankar
• Keywords: Composite Sandwich Panels, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), PU Foam, Shear Key, Shear Response

References

[1] Kim J.H., Lee Y.S., Park B.J., and Kim D.H., Evaluation of durability and strength of stitched foam-cored sandwich structures, Composite Structures, 47 (1999) 543-550.

DOI: 10.1016/s0263-8223(00)00019-2

[2] Palazotto A.N., Gummadi L.N.B., Vaidya U.K., and Herup E.J., Low velocity impact damage characteristics of Z-fiber reinforced sandwich panels - an experimental study, Composite Structures, 43 (1999) 275-288.

DOI: 10.1016/s0263-8223(98)00110-x

[3] Jakobsen J., Bozhevolnaya E., and Thomsen O. T., New peel stopper concept for sandwich structures, Composites Science and Technology, 67 (2007) 3378-3385.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.03.033

[4] Mitra N., A methodology for improving shear performance of marine grade sandwich composites: Sandwich composite panel with shear key, Composite Structures, 92 (2010) 1065-1072.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2009.10.005

[5] Mitra N. and Raja B.R., Improving delamination resistance capacity of sandwich composite columns with initial face/core debond, Compos Part B, 43 (2012) 1604-12.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.11.039

[6] ASTM-D3039, ASTM Standard D3039/D3039M–08, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials, ASTM International, Philadelphia (2008).

[7] ASTM-C297, ASTM Standard C297/C297M–04, Standard Test Method for Flatwise Tensile Strength of Sandwich Constructions, ASTM International, Philadelphia (2004).

[8] ASTM-C365, ASTM Standard C365/C365M–05, Standard Test Method for Flatwise Compressive Properties of Sandwich Cores, ASTM International, Philadelphia (2005).

[9] ASTM-C273, ASTM Standard C273/C273M–07, Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials, ASTM International, Philadelphia (2007).