An experiment study on the failure mechanisms of woven textile sandwich panels under quasi-static loading

Quasi-static compression and three-point-bending tests were conducted to reveal the failure mechanisms and the energy absorption capacity of the woven textile sandwich material. The compression induces shear deformation due to the tilting of fiber piles within the core. The ductile load-displacement curves are featured by a long deformation plateau by plastic rotations of core piles. Densifications become apparent in the later stage of compression. In three-point-bending, skin crippling and shear failure dominate the load capacity of the thicker panels, while skin fracture dominates the thinner ones. After the initial failure, the progression of plastic hinges renders the panels residual load capacity in a long deflection plateau. The tests suggest that woven textile sandwich material is ideal to serve as an energy absorbing core. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.