Hydroelastic behaviours of laser-welded lightweight corrugated sandwich panels subjected to water impact: Experiments and simulations

Few studies have focused on the dynamics of laser-welded corrugated-core (LASCOR) sandwich panels subjected to water impacts. In the present study, three series of water impact tests, using different velocities, are conducted to investigate the hydroelastic response of LASCOR sandwich panels. The water impact pressures and acceleration characteristics are measured and compared with those from fluid-structure interaction (FSI) numerical analysis results. The simulation results agree well with the experimental data for the initial water impact stage, while the difference is relatively significant in the later decay stages. Both the experimental and computational results reveal that the water impact characteristics of the LASCOR sandwich panels are different from the general observations of the stiffened-plate water impact problem. The peak amplitude of the water-impact pressure rises proportionally with v(1.0 similar to 1.1) for the LASCOR sandwich panel, while the peak water impact pressure rises proportionally with v(1.9 similar to 2.0). for the stiffened plate from previous experiments.