Optimization of Pin Position and Angle for Z-Pin-Reinforced Foam Core Sandwich Structures

Sandwich panels (SP) are very promising components for structures as they ally high levels of specific stiffness and strength. Civil, marine and automotive industries are some examples of the sectors that use SPs frequently. This work demonstrates the potential of manufacturing Z-pin-reinforced foam core SPs, using a design strategy that indicated optimal values for both pin position and angle, keeping the same pin diameter as determined in a previous study. A simple search algorithm was applied to optimize each design, ensuring maximum flexural stiffness. Designs using optimal pin position, optimal pin angle and optimal values for both parameters are herein investigated using numerical and experimental approaches. The optimal pin position yielded an increase in flexural stiffness of around 8.0% when compared to the non-optimized design. In this same comparison, the optimal pin angle by itself increased the flexural stiffness by about 63.0%. Besides, the highest increase in the maximum load was found for those composites, molded with optimized levels of pin position and pin angle, which synergistically contributed to this result. All results were demonstrated with numerical and experimental results and there was a good agreement between them.

Automated summary

Sandwich panels reinforced with Z-pins were manufactured using an optimized design strategy, which showed an increase in flexural stiffness compared to non-optimized designs. Numerical and experimental approaches were used to investigate the influence of optimal pin position and angle. The results demonstrated the significant contribution of optimal pin position and angle to the maximum load and flexural stiffness of the composites.