Experimental and numerical investigation of flexural behavior of balsa core sandwich composite structures

Abstract

Abstract The mechanical properties of bio-core sandwich composite structures fabricated in different configurations were investigated experimentally and numerically in this study. Balsa woods with thicknesses of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm were used in the core element. Glass fiber/epoxy composites with 8 and 12 layers at [0°]2s, [0/90°]s, and [±45°]s fiber orientation zones were used on the bottom and top surfaces of the sandwich structure. The effects of external surface fiber arrangement variation, the number of layers, and core thickness increase on the flexural damage load of sandwich structures produced by the vacuum infusion method were investigated. For this purpose, a three-point bending test was applied to the sandwich specimens. Maximum damage load values were determined using the three-point bending test performed in accordance with ASTM C-393 standard. Experimental and numerical data were compared with the finite element model created in the ANSYS package program. As a result of the tests, the damaged specimens were visualized and the types of damage to the balsa wood and composite element were determined.