| Traditional testing of FRP sandwich panels using uniaxial loading provides useful data for structural designers, but these tests do not work well for multiaxially reinforced laminates or for sandwich laminates. Sandwich laminates are generally used to increase the flexural properties of a panel. Flexural testing of sandwich beams does not address panel membrane effects, which can be significant. As a result, a number of different methods have been developed for testing panels. Experiments with multiaxial FRP sandwich panels have been conducted to evaluate the behavior of panel laminates with various fiber orientations and core materials under both static pressure loading and hydrodynamic shock loading. The test apparatus and methods are described, and the... |
