Response of circular type sandwich panel using JUCO-glass fiber with PU foam under three-point bending loading

Abstract

In this study, a circular type honeycomb sandwich panel using natural JUCO and synthetic woven glass fiber was fabricated, and the bending properties like bending strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were evaluated. Polyurethane (PU) foam was injected into the core structure to improve the bending strength. The orientation of jute and cotton fiber was varied to investigate the best stiffness and strength. In addition, twill-type JUCO fiber mat and synthetic woven glass fiber were also used to fabricate the circular type honeycomb sandwich panel. Finite element modeling was undertaken to validate the experimental results. Prior to the finite element analysis, a tensile test was carried out to determine the boundary conditions. Injecting polyurethane foam into the honeycomb core does not show any significant impact on bending properties. However, the deformation rate increased considerably by adding PU foam in the core structure. According to the results, honeycomb sandwich panels made of woven glass fiber with PU foam exhibited more homogenous deflection and bending compliance compared with others.

Keywords

• Circular honeycomb core
• JUCO fiber
• Sandwich panel
• FEM
• PU foam