Sandwich Composite Panels With Gfrp Face Sheets – Experimental Analysis, Numerical Simulation and Analytical Solution

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of analysis of beams made of SCP (sandwich composite panel) composed of GFRP face sheets and foam core. In the frame of research project, several specimens of different compositions were tested by four-point bending according to the actual standard. Nonlinear behaviour was observed in some specimens and possible reasons are discussed in the paper. SCP beams were also numerically simulated using the finite element method in ANSYS Workbench software. For practical and easy engineering design (prediction of deformations and stresses) the analytical procedure was developed for linear and nonlinear behaviour. Results represented by P-Δ and P-σ diagrams of experimental, numerical, and theoretical analysis are compared together in this paper. Based on the analytical solution the parametric study was performed to find out the optimal composition of SCP members for specific static boundary conditions.