Author(s)

D. McGeorge & A.T. Echtermeyer

Abstract

Testing and modelling of polymer foam materials used in sandwich cores - nonlinear properties D. McGeorge, A.T. Echtermeyer Def TVora&e FeHW #eseorc/t A*9, A^-^^ ^mA:, Norway ABSTRACT Rigid expanded polymer foam materials are attractive materials for use in cer- tain structural applications due to low price and weight combined with rela- tively high stiffness. Structural sandwich panels are characterized by stiff face sheets separated by a light core material. The stiff faces kept separated by the core provide high bending stiffness. The core material must provide necessary shear stiffness, and is thus vital for the performance of the sandwich panel. Sandwich panels having a core of rigid expanded polymer foam are widely used in the marine industry. Current design procedures involve linear stiffness analysis. Some nonlinear effects have, however, been found to have practical significance. This paper concentrates on the nonlinear properties of the foam core materia

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