MECHANICAL TESTING OF FOAM CORES FOR SANDWICH STRUCTURES

摘要

The modelling of the mechanical behaviour of sandwich structures is strongly dependent on the determination of reliable input data. Three types of data are needed, characterising compression, shear and fracture behaviour. For the former recent advances in digital cameras and improved image analysis programmes are having a strong impact on material testing, by allowing the rapid determination of global strain fields. Examples are presented. Novel fracture tests are then described, showing the significant anisotropy of core foams. Results are discussed in terms of sandwich performance.