The influence of FRP inserts on the energy absorption of a foam-cored sandwich panel

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the energy absorption properties of a foam-cored sandwich panel with integral fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) tubes and frusta. The panels were tested under quasi-static flatwise compression and a number of different insert geometries were examined. By using X-ray analysis it was found that those panels with inserts which failed by stable progressive brittle fracture exhibited the best specific energy absorptions. Inserts which failed catastrophically led to much lower values. Conical inserts were found to offer the most repeatable performance as their geometry assisted in ensuring consistency of manufacture. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.