Flexural Characterisation of Sandwich Panel with Corrugated Glass Reinforced Polymer

Abstract

The corrugated foam core sandwich construction is used in variety of structural applications. These structures are subjected to flexural, impact, edgewise compression and shear loads. Traditional process for manufacturing of sandwich panel is not suitable for making corrugated core sandwich panel. In this work a novel methodology has been developed for construction of corrugated foam core sandwich panel. The present study focuses on the flexural behaviour of sandwich panel by varying the foam densities and corrugated cell. Two types of densities with one cell and two cells are used. The sandwich employs a Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) orthotropic material for both the two outer skins and the inner core web. In particular, the core is designed to have uneven topology to cooperate with GRP skins in membrane and flexural properties by adding a corrugated foam core. At first, a comparison has been performed between different density foams. Initially, 40 kg/m3 with 1 unit cell and 32 kg/m3 with 1 unit cell are compared, and then the same densities are compared with 2 cells. Among all, 40 kg/m3 with two cells shows highest flexural strength compared to the other specimens. Also, the sandwich panel with an empty core has been tested to understand the strength of the face sheet and corrugated core.