Flexural Testing of Composite Sandwich Structures with Digital Speckle Photogrammetry

Abstract

Composite sandwich structures are finding increasingly widespread use in fields ranging from aerospace and wind turbines to sports applications such as skis and surfboards. The high specific stiffness that composite sandwich structures can provide lends them well to these applications. However, the operational environment of these structures is frequently aggressive and often results in damage during service. The extent and effect of damage incurred is an important factor in the design and maintenance of composite sandwich structures. Failure of an individual component can be catastrophic for the rest of the structure. The purpose of this investigation was, firstly, to ascertain whether DSP was a viable technique for determining strain fields within composite sandwich structures. Secondly, to determine whether four point flexure would give rise to pure flexure between the central rollers, and if not, to understand what load conditions were present. This investigation was also carried out with a view to extend the investigation into the effect of defects on composite sandwich structures manufactured by RIFT. The grounds for selection of composite sandwich structures normally lie in their flexural performance. Reliable and accurate quantitative testing methods for evaluating the flexural performance of sandwich panels are needed if composite sandwich structures are to be used safely and effectively. In addition, methods to determine the effect of damage and defects on flexural behaviour of sandwich structures is particularly important for designing the repair and maintenance regimes of composite sandwich components.