Quasi-Static and Low-Velocity Impact Response of Fully Backed or Simply Supported Sandwich Beams

The present paper describes analysis of low-velocity transverse impact on sandwich beam, with composite faces from Eglass/epoxy and cores from Polyurethane or PVC. Boundary conditions are fully backed rigid or simply supported. This research is based on a step by step study to generate more reliable impact results. Indentation of laminated beam, indentation of sandwich beams, and three-point loading have been analyzed with existing theories and modeled with the FE code ABAQUS, also their results are compared with experimental results. In quasi-static three-point bending, energy is consumed through three mechanisms: indentation of laminated beam, indentation of sandwich beam, and bending of sandwich beam. Impact on fully backed specimen is modeled in two cases of impactor energies using mass spring model of SDOF (single-degree-of-freedom) and indentation stiffness, lower energy of impactor for elastic indentation of sandwich beams, and higher energy for indentation in plastic area. TDOF (two-degree-of-freedom) with flexural and contact stiffnesses are used for impact on simply supported beams. Impacts are simulated by ABAQUS, as well. Results can describe response of beam and impactor displacements in terms of core and faces thicknesses, core material, and impactor energies for static and impact results. The experimental results are in good agreement with the analytical and FE analyses.