Experimental and numerical study of flatwise compression behavior of carbon fiber composite sandwich panels with new lattice cores

Abstract

In this experiment, improvement of mechanical strength peak of fiber/epoxy sandwich panels with lattice cores in combination with their lightweight was investigated. In this regards, the method of VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) was used in order to achieve a laminate without any fault. Then, a unique design was presented to sandwich panel cores. The study of force curves against extension obtained from sandwich panel compression tests, showed that an optimum mechanical strength with a considerable lightweight. The accuracy of experimental data was evaluated by modeling of samples in ABAQUS software at the end of this study. The comparison between the results of experimental and finite element indicated that there was a good agreement between those which implies that the FE simulation can be used instead of time-consuming experimental procedures to study the effect of different parameters on the mechanical properties of lattice sandwich composites in the elastic range.