Abstract
This study analyzes the mechanical behavior of low density polyethylene foam core sandwich panels subjected to edgewise compression. In order to monitor panel response to buckling, strains generated in the facesheets and overall out-of-plane deformations are measured with strain gages and projection moiré, respectively. A finite element (FE) model simulating the experimental test is developed. Numerical results are compared with moiré measurements. After having been validated against experimental evidence, the FE model is parameterized, and a trade study is carried out to investigate to what extent the structural response of the panel depends on the sandwich wall construction and facesheet/core interface defects. The projection moiré set-up utilized in this research is able to capture the sudden and very localized buckling phenomena occurring under edgewise compression of foam-based sandwich panels. Results of parametric FE analyses indicate that, if the total thickness of the sandwich wall is fixed, including thicker facesheets in the laminate yields a larger deflection of the panel that becomes more sensitive to buckling. Furthermore, the mechanical response of the foam sandwich panel is found to be rather insensitive to the level of waviness of core-facesheet interfaces.
Highlights
Sandwich structures made up of low density polyethylene facesheets separated by a lightweight polyethylene foam core represent an excellent solution to many design problems in the automotive field [1]
This paper analyzed the mechanical behavior of low density polyethylene foam core sandwich panels subject to edgewise compression
10 specimens cut from a panel built via rotational molding were tested, and the strains developed in the facesheets were measured by means of strain-gauges, while out-of-plane deformation was monitored by a projection moiré set-up, including two projectors and one CCD camera
Summary
Sandwich structures made up of low density polyethylene facesheets separated by a lightweight polyethylene foam core represent an excellent solution to many design problems in the automotive field [1]. Rotational molding is an innovative process, which allows one to build the entire sandwich component within just one step, improving adhesion and reducing discontinuities between facesheets and the core. In traditional techniques, core and skins are manufactured separately and bonded in a successive step. Rotational molding allows manufacturing time to be shortened, as well as mechanical characteristics of the panel to be improved [2]. Extensive research was carried out on mechanical characterization of foam-based sandwich structures and assessment of their structural response under specific loading/testing conditions, such as, for example, through-thickness compression [3,4] and edgewise compression [5], indentation [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
