Study on Finite Element Modeling Aspects of Delaminated Honeycomb Sandwich Beams

Abstract

The simulation of damaged honeycomb sandwich structures is an important aspect in the structural health monitoring and prognosis. This paper studies finite element modeling aspects of delaminated honeycomb sandwich structure. The models proposed are 3-D model of the honeycomb sandwich construction using isotropic shell elements and a layered shell element model, both with contact elements defined in between the delaminated skin and core. Case study is conducted on damaged and undamaged metallic sandwich beam with 3-D shell element modeling and layered element modelling. The models are validated using three point bending test of damaged and undamaged beams. Results are compared with the experimental, theoretical and finite element results. The results show that the layered element modeling simulates the stiffness and gives the similar results to that of 3D model in the global responses and is computationally efficient. KEYWORDS: Honeycomb sandwich structure; Delamination; Finite element modelling; Three point bending test CITATION: K.R. Pradeep, S.M. Srinivasan, B.N. Rao and K. Balasubramaniam. 2012. Study on finite element modeling aspects of delaminated honeycomb sandwich beams, Int. J. Vehicle

Influence of Core Compressibility, Flexibility and Transverse Shear Effects on the Response of Sandwich Structures

“…Pradeep and Rajagopal [33] have generated a three-dimensional finite element model for analyzing the sandwich panel with metallic skin under differential heating conditions. Pradeep et al [34] have used 3D shell element for modelling and solved the problem of three-point sandwich beam under bending. Xu and Qiao [35] have proposed a constitutive modeling of honeycomb sandwich considering skin effect by applying homogenization theory to periodic plates using transverse shear deformation theory.…”

“…Sandwich composites are process dependent bonded structures, which are prone to skin-core detachment due to manufacturing defects or due to in-service loads. The influence of such debonds is examined through modelling, detection and fracture analysis of sandwich structures by several researchers as indicated in [45][46][47][48][49][50]. It is noted that computationally efficient models as well as the interface fracture parameters are required for simulation of debonded structures.…”