A viable model for out-of-plane compressive and shear properties of Z-pin reinforced composite sandwich panels

Abstract

This paper attempts at developing a computational-analytical model to represent the behavior of Z-pin reinforced X-Cor composite sandwich panels under out-of-plane compression and shear loading. Parameters important in representing the behavior of the individual components of the sandwich are identified. The softening of Z-pins under compression from geometric and material imperfections, densification of the foam, and pin-facesheet interface strengths are incorporated into the model. For validation, the values of the parameters are obtained from experiments performed in house, and then for comparison, they are used to estimate the stiffness and strength of the specimens with experimentally obtained results reported in an open literature. Good correlation using these parameters across different specimens has implications on development of a predictive methodology for the behavior of Z-pin reinforced sandwich materials under compression and shear.

Free vibration analysis of polymer pin-reinforced foam core sandwich composite panels

“…[8][9][10] Over the past six decades, significant progress has been made in composite material research, and nowadays, numerous types of reinforcements have been used in sandwich composites such as z-pinned and through-thethickness reinforcements, which showed increased structural and mechanical properties with variations of geometrical parameters. [11][12][13] For assessing the mechanical properties, many researchers have done three or four-point bend tests of both non-reinforced and reinforced composite panels and beams. [14][15][16][17][18][19] Research suggests that change in the reinforcement of the sandwich composite's core is among the many possible variations in structural parameter change, and this can have minor to major effects.…”

Mechanical Behaviour of Pin-Reinforced Foam Core Sandwich Panels Subjected to Low Impact Loading

“…Recently, several studies have been carried out to increase the bonding properties of sandwich structures. Different methods such as tufting, orthogonal weaving, stitching, and Z-pinning were proposed to increase the bonding strength between the core and face sheets [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Experimental and theoretical study of sandwich composites with Z-pins under quasi-static compression loading

“…Nanayakkara et al (2011) used unidirectional thin and thick carbon filament rods to improve compressive properties of sandwich composite made from carbon-epoxy laminate face skin and low density core of polymer foam. Virakthi et al (2018) modelled out-of-plane compressive, shear stiffness and strength of X-Cor sandwich composites using aligned pins in pyramidal geometry. They claimed that foam core increases the strength of sandwich composites due to postponing buckling of pins.…”