In this paper, sandwich panel composites manufactured for use in the transportation industry are introduced. Core and skin architectures available for the production of composite sandwich panels are reviewed. The structural performance of roadplates, composite sandwich panel plates used to cover roadway excavations, is discussed. The results of static and fatigue testing of 60 in. by 72 in. roadplates are presented. The purpose of the tests was to demonstrate fatigue life of the roadplates and to determine the ultimate mechanisms of fatigue failure. Static overload capacity was shown to be 190percent of static H-20 loading. Fatigue performnace shows that the composite roadplates are capable of resisting 538,000 cycles of H-20 wheel loading. The end of service life corresponds to a significant and instantaneous loss in stiffness nad reduction in load capacity. At the ned of service life, post-damage displacement and load capacity are significant; the composite plate continues to resist loading well beyond the onset of skin damage.
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