Experimental Determinations and Comparative Studies of the Stiffness for Some Sandwich Bars Reinforced with Metal Fabric

Abstract

In this paper, starting from the eigenmodes values determined in [1], a method, used to determine the stiffness of the composite bars with honeycomb or polypropylene core reinforced with metal fabric (having two layers of metal fabric, in the upside and downside parts), is presented. The eigenfrequency is used to determine the stiffness (the hole stiffness and the stiffness per unit mass). The results are validated by another experimental method, characterized by embedding the bar at one end and let it free at the other end. The free end is loaded with weights and the displacement is measured with a dial gauge with magnetic stand. Comparisons with the stiffness values obtained from the eigenmodes are made and the errors between the two methods are determined. In the last part of the paper, some comparisons between these composite bars and other bars previously studied by the authors are made.