Experimental investigations and finite element analysis of composite sandwich structures with honeycomb core – Evaluation for strength and quality

Honeycomb cores in composite sandwich structures are economical and appropriate scheme to absorb impact in engineering applications. Hexagonal honeycomb that are conventionally being used displays greater Poisson’s ratio and are typically used for their light weight and higher axial stiffness. Auxetic honeycombs exhibit contradictory properties such as high in plane shear stiffness and shows negative Poisson’s ratio with lateral extension instead of contraction when axially stretched. The research reports suggests the need for greater research evolutions in the field of honeycomb composites structures still considered to be in its naïve state. This study involves analysis of the dynamic response of an aluminum composite panel with a honeycomb core constrained within two thin face subjected to impact with a rigid ball. Parametric analysis and finite element analysis are performed to investigate the governing factors, their interdependencies and the deformations occurring for various loads.