Finite element analysis of the compressive properties of 3-D hollow integrated sandwich composites

Abstract

On the basis of previous studies, the structural model of 3-D hollow integrated sandwich composites for the compressive analysis was built by using the finite element software ANSYS. In the paper, the influence of pile height (6, 8 and 10 mm), pile density (4, 6 and 8 mm), elastic modulus (36, 38 and 40 GPa) and poisson ratio (0.30, 0.35 and 0.40) of the 3-D composites on the compressive properties were studied, and the effects of these factors were analyzed and discussed. The results revealed that the maximum value of the stress appeared in the interface between the piles and the face-sheets when the 3-D composites were subject to compressive loads, in which the composites damaged easily. The compressive properties of the 3-D composites increased with the increase of the pile density and poisson ratio, and decreased with that of the pile height. Elastic modulus has little influence on the compressive properties of the 3-D composites. The study provides a reference for the structural optimum of the 3-D composites.