Curved woven lattice truss sandwich panels strengthened by foams: Designing, manufacturing, and testing

Abstract The woven lattice truss sandwich panels (WLTSPs) have been studied much, and this article proposes a new structure (curved woven lattice truss sandwich [CWLTS] panels). CWLTS were designed, made, and tested. The foam‐filling technique was applied to strengthen the CWLTS. Curving and foam‐filling effects to the deformation, damage, failure, and energy absorption under cylindrical and plated loadings were revealed by three‐point bending experiments. Under cylindrical loading, foam‐filling can effectively increase the load capacity, especially the CWLTS‐A. The load‐bearing capacity of the plated loading is greater than that of the cylindrical loading, and the phenomenon is significantly improved after foam filling, except for the central angle of 60° and the CWLTS‐A of 44.05°. Foam‐filling changes failure from core‐shearing to face fracture. For foam‐filled panels, the change in loading pattern results in energy absorption increase of 2.45 times for CWLTS‐B and 2.86 times for CWLTS‐A. Plated loading approximately doubles the peak load and energy absorption with two plastic hinges. The effect of foam filling on the mean crush force of the CWLTS plated loading is greater. The mechanical and energy absorption properties of the CWLTS can be improved by changing the loading mode and using foam filling, effectively increasing the applicability. Highlights Curved woven lattice truss sandwich panels were designed, made, and tested. Foam‐filling method greatly improves the bearing capacity of the CWLTS panels. Plated loading much increases the bearing capacity and energy absorption. The impact of curvature on mechanical performances is not immediately apparent.