Computational fatigue failure analysis of magnesium alloy core structure inside the metal sandwich panels under constant spectrum loadings

Abstract

This paper presents the delamination effect on the metal sandwich panel of AR500 with magnesium alloy of AZ31B as main core under constant spectrum loading. Recent sandwich panel mostly dealt with static loading, with least research under constant cyclic loading while also having cavity element on its structure, which made them exposed to the catastrophic failure under consistent loading. The metal sandwich panel were simulated using three types of core design for Magnesium alloy; smooth surface, rounded dimple and hemispherical dimple smooth under static and constant cyclic loading. Two types of conditions are applied to the simulation model; with and without pre-stress loads with varying load ratios. Gerber and Goodman stress life fatigue theory was used as a corrective model. Result shows that sandwich panel with dimple core design obtained up to 5% better fatigue life value compared to solid core panel, with and without pre-stress. This study is important as it can improve sandwich panel’s bonding strength and reduces the risk of early delamination, especially when it is use for real world application such as protection panel for military purposes.