The dynamic response of composite sandwich beams to transverse impact

The dynamic response of glass fibre–vinylester composite beams is measured by impacting the beams at mid-span with metal foam projectiles. The beams exist in composite monolithic form, and in sandwich configuration with composite face-sheets and a core made from PVC foam or end-grain balsa wood. High-speed photography is used to measure the transient transverse deflection of the beams and to record the dynamic modes of deformation and failure. For both monolithic and sandwich configurations, a flexural wave travels from the impact site towards the supports. Ultimate failure of the monolithic and sandwich beams is by tensile tearing of the faces. The sandwich beams also exhibit cracking of the core, and face-sheet delamination. The dynamic strength of the beams is quantified by the maximum transient transverse deflection at mid-span of the beams as a function of projectile momentum. It is demonstrated that sandwich beams can outperform monolithic beams of equal mass. The trade-off between core strength and core thickness is such that a low density PVC foam core outperforms a higher density PVC foam core. End-grain balsa wood has a superior stiffness and strength to that of PVC foam in compression and in shear. Consequently, sandwich beams with a balsa core outperform beams with a PVC foam core for projectiles of low momentum. The order reverses at high values of projectile momentum: the sandwich beams with a balsa wood core fail prematurely in longitudinal shear by splitting along the grain.