Finite Element Analysis ofGlass/Epoxy Skin and RigidFoamCore Sandwich Composites -Simulation of Shear Modes and FlexuralModes of Failure

The main aim of paper is to conduct finite element analysis of sandwich composites under different loadings. Sandwich composites of Glass fabric reinforced Epoxy skins and Rigid Poly Urethane FoamCore of three different densities are tested under three-point bending setup to obtain the flexural properties, Foam cores are tested under tension and compression to evaluate their axial behavior. Sandwich specimens are tested in T-Peel, Single Lap Shear and Double Lap shear to evaluate their shear behavior under tensile loading and to observe mode-I, mixed mode, and mode-II failure of specimens. Forall of the above tests Finite Element Analysis(FEA) is carried out using ANSYS (TM) and experimental and FEM values are verified. In three-point Bending test Sandwich beams are fabricated and tested with different skin to core weight ratios and different span to depth ratios and while testing different failure modes are observed. These Failure modes are correlated with FEM and failure criteria are applied as per failure and all the obtained values are compared. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.