EVALUATION OF TRANSVERSE SHEAR MODULI OF COMPOSITE SANDWICH BEAMS THROUGH THREE-POINT BENDING TESTS

Transverse shear moduli of the sandwich core and flexural stiffness of all-composite sandwich constructions are determined with three-point beam bending tests, and compared with the analytical and finite element analysis solutions. Additionally, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system is employed to validate the experimental results by monitoring the displacements. The effect of orientation of the composite core material with respect to the beam axis on the shear modulus of the core material itself, flexural stiffness of the sandwich beam, maximum loading, and the maximum stresses on the sandwich panel are also examined. Comparable results are achieved through experiments, finite element and analytical analyses.