Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Quasi-Static and High Strain Rate Crushing Behavior of Single and Multi-Layer Zig-Zag 1050 H14 Al Trapezoidal Corrugated Core Sandwich Structures

Abstract

The quasi-static and dynamic crushing behavior of single, double and multi-layer zig-zag 1050 H14 Al trapezoidal corrugated core sandwich structures in 0°/0° and 0°/90° core orientations and with and without interlayer sheets were investigated both experimentally and numerically at varying impact velocities. The numerical simulations were conducted using the finite element code of LS-DYNA. The effect of fin wall imperfection was assessed through the fin wall bending and bulging. The numerical homogenization of the single layer corrugated structure was performed using MAT26 honeycomb material model. The buckling stress of single- and double-layer corrugated sandwich structures increased when the strain rate increased. The increased buckling stresses were ascribed to the micro inertial effects. The initial buckling stress at quasi-static and high strain rate was numerically shown to be imperfection sensitive. Increasing the number of core layers decreased the buckling stress and increased the densification strain. The panels tested with spherical and flat striker tips were not penetrated and experienced slightly higher deformation forces and energy absorptions in 0°/90° corrugated layer orientation than in 0°/0° orientation. However, the panels tested using a conical striker tip were penetrated/perforated and showed comparably smaller deformation forces and energy absorptions, especially in 0°/90° layer orientation. The homogenized models predicted the low velocity compression /indentation and projectile impact tests of the multi-layer corrugated sandwich with an acceptable accuracy with reduced computational time.