The effect of Shape memory wire on the ballistic behavior of smart corrugated core sandwich panels

In this research, the impact behavior of trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich panel reinforced with SMA wires, has been investigated experimentally and numerically. Composite specimens were made to perform tensile, compression and shear tests, and the requisite properties were acquired from the tests. Then, sandwich structures with aluminum corrugated core and 4-layer glass/epoxy composites face-sheets were made using the hand-layup technique. In order to reinforce the composite face-sheets, SMA wires were used in two models: 3 SMA wires without pre strain, 3 SMA wires with 3% pre-strain and 3 SMA wires with 6% pre-strain. The test was performed using a gas gun. To validate and compare the results, the numerical models of the specimens were prepared in LS-Dyna, considering the experimental testing conditions. The results, including ballistic limited velocity and the absorbed energy of the structure were compared and validated by the experimental solutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding shape memory alloy wire to reinforce the face-sheets and the effect of pre strain on the ballistic behavior of the sandwich structure. The results shows that presence of the SMA wires and applying pre-strain, leads to increasing energy absorption. Comparing to the wireless sample, the absorbed energy increased about 10%, 22% and 30% in the 3-wires sample without pre-strain, 3-wires sample with 3% pre-strain and 3-wires sample with 6% pre-strain, respectively.