See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/281684543

Dynamic Analysis of Sandwich Composites

Article  in  International Journal of Applied Engineering Research · August 2015

CITATIONS READS

0 151

1 author:

Padmanabhan Krishnan
VIT University
108 PUBLICATIONS   258 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Self reinforced polymer composites View project

PhD project on Fatigue Vibration interactions of laminated composites. View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Padmanabhan Krishnan on 12 September 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.71 (2015)
© Research India Publications; http://www.ripublication.com/ijaer.htm

Dynamic Analysis of Sandwich Composites

Ram P. Chennuri Ravi T. Deekonda Venkataramana K. Reddy

SMBS, VIT University, Vellore, India, SMBS, VIT University, Vellore, India, SMBS, VIT University, Vellore, India,
praful.ram.chennuri@gmail.com ravitejadeekonda9@gmail.com reddy.ramana1991@gmail.com

Ramya M Padmanabhan Krishnan Murugan R

SMBS, VIT University, Vellore, India, CENC, VIT University, Vellore, India, Sri Venkateswara College of
ramya.m@vit.ac.in padmanabhan.k@vit.ac.in Engineering, Sriperambudur., India
muruga@svce.ac.in

Abstract —The usage of laminated composites as beams and some sandwich composites have also been studied
structural parts has increased due to their properties like low by Manchith, Harish and Yang et al. [5][6][7].
density, high strength to weight ratio and damping properties. In
the present investigation a comparative study is done on the Vibrational characteristics of composite materials, of two
vibration behaviour of sandwich composites by experimental and
different core materials of PUF foam and PIR foams which
finite element methods (FEM). Two different rigid foam
sandwich composites of Polyurethane (PUF) and Poly- have densities of about 125kg/m3 and, skin to core weight
isocyanurate (PIR) and, glass epoxy skin, with skin to core weight ratios of 3:1 and 4:1, are analysed.
ratios of 3:1 and 4:1, are considered. Fabrication is by vacuum
bagging method. Experimental analysis is done by striking the II. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
beam with impulse hammer at a point where different modes and Fabrication of sandwich composites was done using hand
frequencies are acquired. Then FEM analysis is done using lay-up and vacuum bagging technique, where panels of 3:1
ANSYS software. Both the experimental as well as FEM results and 4:1 face-sheet to core weight ratios were fabricated using
are compared and documented. constant density core by hand layup & vacuum bagging [6].
I. INTRODUCTION Number of layers in the skin varies depending upon the weight
ratios to be maintained. The panels were machine cut and
Composites are the trending materials which are being specimens prepared using jig-saw. For each weight ratio, three
continuously utilized in part and complete, in areas where samples were cut, for both PUF and PIR foam cores, by
there is a prerequisite of high strength to weight ratio, maintaining standard dimensions of thickness and width, as
reduction in weight, low density, and low fuel utilization and, shown in Table 1.
low maintenance costs. These materials have necessary
properties like corrosion resistance, damping properties and Width = 2 * Thickness
flame safety as studied by Dipak and Tejani[1]. The materials
consist of three differently phased layers, a thick and light Length = 175mm (constant)
weight core which separates the two face-sheets. Honeycombs
have a higher quality to-weight degree than foam; however, TABLE. I DIMENSIONS
foams may be utilized as a part of few types of structural
developments, for the same attributes. Also, the layering Skin to Core PUF PIR
quality of foam keeps the face-sheet from delaminating Weight Ratio 3:1 4:1 3:1 4:1
because of bonding. It is basically a cellular polymer, light Thickness 15 16.75 16.75 17.5
weight and solid. The change in core material has much more Width 30 33.5 33.5 35
effect than varying the thickness of the face-sheet and core
materials, according to study by Henrik et.al. [2].Vibration
Analyses were done using impulse hammer technique, to find
characteristics in composites are key to any structural
natural frequencies as shown in „Fig. 1‟.
functioning as Hong et.al. [3] have investigated on CFRP. One end of the specimen is fixed by a C-clamp and, the other
Increase in the thickness of the core is seen to increase the end of the specimen with an accelerometer that comprises a
natural frequency. Also it is found that increase in density of
transducer, which in turn converts the vibrations into signals.
the core decreases the natural frequency, which also increases
The signals are then sent to a signal analyser and the post
the damping property, as investigated by Anahita [4].
processing is done using the software RT-PRO [5].
Damping characteristics of ply drop off tapered composite

485
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.71 (2015)
© Research India Publications; http://www.ripublication.com/ijaer.htm

Fig.4. PIR-125 kg/m3- Skin to Core Weight Ratio - 3:1

Fig.1.Experimental Setup

The beam is energized by an impulse hammer at the

position adjacent to the fixed or clamped end as shown in „Fig.
2‟.

Fig.5. PUF-125 kg/m3- Skin to Core Weight Ratio - 4:1

Fig.2. Striking at a location with impulse Hammer

Three different trials were taken for each specimen, and

the corresponding frequency graph was plotted using RT-Pro
software which is displayed on the computer screen.

III. OBDERVATIONS
Initially, the natural frequencies were obtained for three
samples of each parameter with different skin to core weight
ratios. Figures.3 to 6 indicates the graphs of different
specimens that were plotted using RT-Pro software. The
Fig. 6. PIR-125 kg/m3- Skin to Core Weight Ratio- 4:1
results from the experiments and finite element method are
correlated, and comparison is done.

IV. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSES

FEM analyses were done using ANSYS software where

the sandwich specimen was modelled and modal analysis
carried out for obtaining various modes and their
corresponding frequencies. The modal frequencies from
ANSYS were noted. Mode shapes along with their frequencies
were obtained. Figs. 7 and 8 indicate the mode shapes of the
PUF and PIR sandwich specimens.
V. EXPERIMENTAL AND FEA CORRELATION
Fig.3. PUF-125 kg/m3- Skin to Core Weight Ratio - 3:1
Mode shapes along with their frequencies are obtained in
ANSYS. The modal frequencies were noted from the
experimental and analytical observations. The comparative

486
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.71 (2015)
© Research India Publications; http://www.ripublication.com/ijaer.htm

results of the samples of PUF and PIR of skin to core weight TABLE. III COMPARATIVE VALUES OF PIR 125KG/M3, 3:1 & 4:1 SAMPLES
ratios 3:1 and 4:1 are presented in Tables 2 and 3.
% PIR %
Measured PIR 3:1 Measured
Deviation 4:1 Deviation
FEA FEA

82.5 89.23 7.54 108.75 96.6 12.5

832.5 896.5 7.13 920 1141.2 19.38

1577.5 1544.3 2.14 1746.25 1862.2 6.22

Generally, as the sandwich composites have a higher flexural

rigidity compared to their laminate (skin only) counterparts, a
first natural frequency of glass/ epoxy laminates in the range
of 10-30 Hz is found to be lower than their own sandwich
composites with a PUF or PIR core. The higher modes are
more complicated in a sandwich composite, as the surface
Fig.7. Modal Analysis of PUF 3:1. waves (Raleigh waves and lamb waves in particular) are
confined only to the face sheet or the skins and not to the core
that has a high damping ratio.
VI. CONCLUSION
The correlated results between the experimental and ANSYS
analyses establish that an increase in weight ratio increases the
natural frequencies which are due to increase in number of
layers, which also increases the stiffness of the specimen.
Comparison of foam sandwich samples of PUF and PIR
revealed that good vibration characteristics and higher natural
frequencies existed in PIR than PUF foam sandwich samples.
Hence, it can be said that PIR foam sandwich composites can
be used for their high stiffness and structural applications
where a higher natural frequency is desired due to the low
Fig.8. Modal Analysis of PIR 3:1.
natural frequencies of glass /epoxy samples that show
resonance related failures.
TABLE. II COMPARATIVE VALUES OF PUF 125KG/M3, 3:1 & 4:1
SAMPLES
Acknowledgements
PUF PUF
3:1 % 4:1 %
Measured Measured
Deviation Deviation We thank the Structures Panel of the Aeronautical Research
FEA FEA and Development Board, New Delhi, India, for the funding
77.5 88.05 11.98 87.5 94.6 7.5
and support of our project bearing No: 1650. We are grateful
to the VIT University management for providing the facilities
741.35 867.2 14.51 846.25 1020.4 17.06 and infrastructure required for carrying out the investigation.
1436.25 1444.3 0.55 1488.75 1660.6 10.34
We would also like to thank HOD of the Department of
Mechanical Engineering, SVCE, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu,
for permitting us to conduct the impulse hammer testing at
their laboratory.
The deviation between the measured experimental values and
obtained results from ANSYS range is almost near 20%. References
It is observed that PIR core sandwich specimens have higher
frequencies than PUF core specimens, in the current scenario
[1] Vamja G Dipak ,Tejani G G, “Experimental Test on Sandwich Panel
as the elastic properties of PIR are nearly twice higher than the Composite Material”, International Journal of Innovative Research in
PUF foam employed here for the same density and Science, Engg and Technology Engineering and Technology,
microstructure. Hence, the stiffness of PIR is higher Causing (IJIRSET),Volume. 2, Issue Number 7,ISSN:2319-8753, July 2013, pp-
3047-3054
a higher natural frequency to be observed in PIR core
sandwich composites as the skin employed is identical. [2] Hong K -M, Kang Y -J, Kim S J, Kim A, Choi I Y, Park JH, Cho C W,
“A Study On The Vibration Characteristics Of CFRP Composite
Materials Using Timeaverage ESPI”, Advances in Laser Technology, 2-

487
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.71 (2015)
© Research India Publications; http://www.ripublication.com/ijaer.htm

6 September 2012, ALT 12, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Engg.

and Information Technology
[3] Henrik Herranen, Ott Pabut, Martin Eerme, Jüri Majak , Meelis Pohlak ,
Jaan Kers , Saarna Mart, Allikas Georg , Aruniit Aare,”Design and
Testing of Sandwich Structures with Different Core Materials”, ISSN
1392–1320, MATERIALS SCIENCE (MEDŽIAGOTYRA). 2012,
Department of Machinery, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia,
Vol. 18, Number. 1
[4] Ghorbanzad Rastkar Anahita, “Free vibrational analysis of sandwich
composites” BSc Mechanical Engg. Thesis, University of Tabriz, Iran,
1996
[5] Kumar K Manchith, “Dynamic characterization of glass epoxy
plydropoff tapered composite beams,” Proceedings of ICEET,
Kanyakumari, 2013
[6] Kumar R Harish, R Murugan, M Ramya , K Padmanabhan, 2014,
“Fixed–Free Vibration Characteristics Of Rigid FoamGlass/Epoxy
Sandwich Composite Beams”, International Journal of Structural
Analysis & Design – IJSAD, Volume 1 : Issue 3, (ISSN: 2372 - 4102) ,
pp-36-40
[7] Yang Jinshui, Xiong Jian, Ma Li, Wang Bing, Zhang Guoqi, Wu Linzhi,
Decemeber,“Vibration and damping characteristics of hybrid carbon
fibercomposite pyramidal truss sandwich panels with viscoelastic
layers,”Composite Structures", Volume 106 , 2013, pp 570–580

488

View publication stats