Theoretical and Numerical Analysis of an Aluminum Foam Sandwich Structure

Abstract

The aim of the research was to develop a new lightweight sandwich structure, which can be used for elements of air containers. The structure consists of aluminum foam core with fiber reinforced composite face-sheets. Nine different laminated glass or/and carbon fiber reinforced plastic face-sheet combinations were investigated. Finite element analysis of the sandwich structures was introduced. Single-objective optimization of the new sandwich structure was achieved for minimal weight. Five design constraints were considered: stiffness of the structure, face-sheet failure, core shear, face-sheet wrinkling, size constraints for design variables. The elaborated composite structure results significant weight savings due to low density.

Dynamic modeling of a simply supported beam with an overhang mass

“…Beams with different configurations can be essential elements in representing engineering systems, starting from truck axels [1] to sandwich beams structures [2] to machine-tool systems, mainly when it comes to machine-tool spindle systems. Being able to calculate the natural frequencies of beam systems help optimize them in terms of weight, performance and cost.…”