Non-linear Behavior of Curved Sandwich Panels

In this paper the non-linear behavior of curved sandwich panels is investigated both numerically and experimentally. Focus is on various aspects of finite element modeling and calculation procedures. A simply supported, singly curved, CFRP/PVC sandwich panel is analyzed under uniform pressure load and results are compared to test data. A novel test arrangement utilizing a water filled cushion to create the uniform pressure load on curved panel specimen is used to obtain the experimental data. The panel is modeled with three different commercial finite element codes. Two implicit and one explicit code are used with various element types, modeling approaches and material models. The results show that the theoretical and experimental methods generally show fair agreement in panel non-linear behavior before collapse. It is also shown that special attention to detail has to be taken, because the predicted failure load can be strongly dependent on the modeling procedure, material model and boundary conditions.