DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2022.7
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/2438
Date of Award
3-2022
Degree Name
MS in Mechanical Engineering
Department/Program
Mechanical Engineering
College
College of Engineering
Advisor
Eltahry Elghandour
Advisor Department
Mechanical Engineering
Advisor College
College of Engineering
Abstract
Composite sandwich structures are prevalent in engineering applications where high strength to weight ratios are critical. A composite sandwich includes the addition of a core material between two composite face sheets to increase ultimate stress in compression and bending loading cases. The performance of many composite sandwich structure configurations is well understood in the undamaged case. This analysis examines a type of damage, low velocity indentation, and determines the effect on mechanical behavior. The scope of the analysis includes manufacturing sandwich composite structures, creating indentation in the composite, and testing the sandwich composite structure. The mechanical behavior of the composite sandwich structures is characterized through ASTM C364 test standard for compressive strength and ASTM C393 standard test standard for flexural properties of sandwich constructions. The experiment is conducted with varied indentation depth, core materials, composite sandwich thickness, and composite face sheet thickness. The findings are compared to control specimens and used to determine the effect of indentation depth and create a relationship for the mechanical performance of indented sandwich composites.