Fabrication And Dynamic Analysis Of Sandwich Beams With Composite Skins And Different Cores

Abstract

The conventional method of preparing beams utilizes costlier machine, high skilled newlinemanpower and involves high maintenance and operating costs. To overcome these newlineshortcomings, since few decades composite beam is developed which is sandwich type and newlinehas low weight, high strength and high stiffness properties. In addition, these are cheaper, newlineeasy to manufacture, light in weight accompanied with good mechanical properties and newlineenhanced strength. Basically, a composite beam consists of a thin layer skin at top and newlinebottom and a thick core which is sandwiched between the skins. newlineThe fabrication of composite skin involves hand lay-up process in which a solution of epoxy newlineand binder is thoroughly stirred and mixed in ratio of 10:1, prepared in a container. newlineFor reinforcement of composite, glass fiber woven mast of 360 GSM (Grams per Square newlineMeter) is used in different orientations such as 0o, 15o, 30o and 45o. The research starts with newlinecharacterization of skin which includes Tensile test, flexural test, dynamic mechanical newlineanalysis test, thermo-gravimetric analysis test (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) newlinetest, X-ray diffraction test, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All these tests newlineare carried out on composite skins as per American Society for Testing and Materials newline(ASTM) standards to ensure good results. newlineThe research is carried out in stages like characterisation of glass fiber reinforced composites newlinewhich are used as skins of sandwich beams and dynamic analysis of the sandwich beams newlinewith soft core like polyurethane foam and stiff cores like functionally graded material (FGM) newlineand rubber experimentally. The results of dynamic behavior of sandwich beams in soft and newlinestiff cores are validated with the help of finite element analysis.