Compressive properties of carbon fiber / epoxy resin hollow sandwich composites based on finite element software

On the basis of previous studies,a new structural model was built to study compressive properties of three-dimensional hollow sandwich composites( 3-D composites) by using the finite element software ANSYS Workbench. The distribution of stress and strain on the fibers,resin and the 3-D composites was discussed under compressive loads of 2 mm displacement by using the model. The results show that the maximum value of stress occurs between the overlap of piles where the 3-D composites are damaged easily. The minimum value of stress occurs on the upper and lower face-sheets,where the 3-D composites are difficult to be damaged. The main loads were supported by fibers and the minor loads were supported by resin. The main failure mode of the 3-D composites is resin fracture when the 3-D composites suffered compressive loads.