Analysis of the composite I-beam reinforced with PU foam with the addition of chopped glass fiber

The paper presents the influence of PU foam with an addition of glass fiber on the buckling resistance of an I-beam. Three beam types were considered: an aluminum beam (AA), a composite AA-PU beam and a composite AA-PU-CFRP beam. Each beam was made with two C-profiles connected by webs. The flanges were reinforced by flat bars. Channels were made by bending 0.08 mm thick aluminum alloy 6061-T6 sheets. Flat bars were made from aluminum alloy 6061-T6 2.0 mm in thickness. The metal sheets components were connected by Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding RFSSW and Resistant Spot Welding RSW technologies. The composite AA-PU beam additionally has the stiffening of the web by polyurethane foam with the addition of glass fiber. The PU foam filled up the I-sections in such a way that rectangular cross-sections were obtained. The composite belka AA-PU-CFRP beam was made like the composite AA-PU beam, but with CFRP plates glued to the flanges. The beams were subjected to three-point bending tests. The load-bearing capacity for a buckling resistance was analyzed. The results from experimental tests were used in numerical analysis carried out by the ADINA System program based on the Finite Element Method.