COMPRESSION PROPERTIES OF MARINE SANDWICH COMPOSITES IN FIRE

摘要

A study into the edgewise compression properties of marine sandwich composite materials during and after exposure to fire is reported in the paper. Polymer sandwich composites are used in a variety of marine structures that support compressive loads, such as bulkheads and superstructure panels on ships and accommodation modules on offshore platforms.[1] A major risk to the mechanical integrity of these structures is the loss in stiffness, strength and creep resistance in a fire that leads to failure and collapse.[2] This paper presents validated models for predicting the loss to the edgewise compression modulus and strength of polymer sandwich composites when exposed to fire and the residual (post-fire) properties after the fire has been extinguished. The model considers the effects of thermal softening and char damage to the face skins and core on the compression properties. A second model is described for predicting the residual (post-fire) compression properties of fire-damaged sandwich composites at room temperature after the fire has been extinguished. This model considers the effect of charring to the skins and core on the residual properties.