Experimental and numerical assessment of sustainable bamboo core sandwich panels under low-velocity impact

This work describes the experimental and numerical behaviour of sandwich panels made of aluminium skins and bamboo core under low-velocity impact test. A statistical design is carried out to evaluate the effect of the bamboo diameter (020 and 030 mm) and the adhesive type (epoxy and biopolymer) on the maximum load, energy to maximum load, total deflection and total energy of the panels, which are assessed through graphical and failure analysis. A non-linear finite element (FE) analysis is developed to simulate the low-velocity impact test and to predict the failure mechanisms of the skins, bamboo core and adhesive. The experimental results show that, unlike the adhesive type, the bamboo diameter variation does not significantly affect the impact properties. Sandwich panels made of epoxy adhesive exhibit greater rigidity and lower maximum load than those with biopolymer, resulting in premature core-face debonding. On the other hand, sandwich panels made with biopolymer have a greater capacity for absorbing energy and maintaining structural integrity. The numerical simulation indicates a good correlation with the experimental data for load-displacement impact curves, kinematic energy-time curves, perforation process and failure modes. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study describes the experimental and numerical behavior of sandwich panels made of aluminum skins and bamboo core under low-velocity impact test, and found that the variation of bamboo diameter has little effect on impact properties, while the type of adhesive can affect its stiffness and maximum load. Sandwich panels made with biopolymer adhesive can better absorb energy and maintain structural integrity.