Experimental Investigation of foam filled Sandwich Panels in Concentrated and Distributed Compressive loading

In this paper, concentrated and distributed compressive loading quasi-static tests were conducted on sandwich structures with empty and foam filled honeycomb core. The sandwich structure used in this research were formed by aluminum plate and aluminum 5052 honeycomb structure. Foam used to fill the honeycomb structure was polyurethane foam with a density of 137.13 kg / m3.Concentrated loading quasi-static tests were performed by flat ended penetrator with a diameter of 10 mm and universal machine. Also distributed loading quasi-static tests were carried out by universal machine. In distributed loading, force is applied uniformly to the entire structure surface. Displacement rate was 2 mm/min for both types of loading. The purpose of this paper was to study the filler material effect on energy absorption and destruction shape of sandwich structure, as well as comparison of the two types of loading in unfilled and foam filled honeycomb core sandwich panels. The results of quasi-static tests showed that filler material has positive effects on increasing energy absorption in both concentrated and distributed loading. Polyurethane foam as filler material of honeycomb structure used in sandwich panel core increase specific absorbed energy of sandwich panel with foam filled core proportion to empty honeycomb core sandwich panel structure in concentrated and distributed loading by 6% and 29% respectively.