Investigation of skin/core debonding effects on the natural frequencies of composite sandwich structures using experimental and numerical modal analysis

Sandwich structures are made of two thin skin with high mechanical properties and a thick core that have weak strength. Due to high strength and stiffness to weight down, sandwich plate are used too much in engineering structures such as ship hulls, turbines, etc. In this paper, the effect of skin/core debonding on the dynamic response of sandwich structures with composite skins and a PVC foam core is investigated experimentally and also numerically. The separation size affects strongly on the natural frequency so that with a reduction in structural stiffness due to the separation zone between the upper skin and the core occurs, the natural frequencies decreases. Increase the length and depth of separation reduces the local stiffness and thereby reduces the natural frequency of the structure. The composite skins are bonded to the foam using VIP (Vacume Infusion Process) method because of VIP method can make more qualify specimens. In order to validate the obtained results, the results of modal test and also the effect of separation length on the natural frequencies and mode shapes in ABAQUS software are used.The results show good agreement between the numerical and experimental tests respectively