Improvement of the Mechanical Properties of GFRP Laminates Used in the Construction of Ship Hulls by Implementing Auxetic Sheet Cores

Abstract:

This research improves the mechanical properties of laminates in ship hulls made of glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) with the design of auxetic sheets, to take advantage of the property in their geometry to reduce the damage energy due to surface impacts absorbed by the laminate. 3D printing of second generation auxetic components to produce modified specimens. Laboratory reproductions of mechanical damage were compared with those of specimens extracted from a ship under construction. The mechanical properties of the bending and tensile tests demonstrated that the insertion of the core in the laminate protected the matrix from damaged energy, prolonging its useful life. Comparative results are presented, which will allow GFRP hull designers to insert auxetic sheet cores into their design. Mechanical tests allowed us to compare the progress of delamination.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1026)
• Pages: 63-73
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Cdkb5B
• Online since: October 2025
• Authors: Patrick Townsend*, Jurghen Porfirio Ramon Rodríguez, Cinthya Alejandra Astudillo León, Monica Carboneras
• Keywords: Auxetic, Bending, Laminate, Tensile

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