Reza Azarafza - Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing Technologies, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran
Puya Pirali - Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing Technologies, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran,
Ali Davar - Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing Technologies, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran
Majid Ghadimi - Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing Technologies, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran

Composite sandwich structures with grid stiffened core (SSGSC) are one of the new structural configurations applied in advanced industries. In the present study three composite SSGSC sample made of different materials and thicknesses are fabricated with hand lay-up method using a silicon rubber mold and epoxy resin. Also, two metallic samples of the same dimensions as the composite ones, including a monolithic and a SSGSC sample made of Al ۱۰۵۰ are fabricated. In order to study their behavior subjected to the quasi-static transverse loads, the samples undergo three-point bending tests. Results of the experimental tests of the composite samples showed that beyond the failure of the face sheets, the grid stiffened core will tolerate the load. Also, there are no delamination between the face sheet layers and no debonding between the face sheets and the core. It was found that changing the fibers of the face sheet from Glass to Carbon with the same thickness, improves the strength-to-weight ratio of the SSGSC sample by about ۲ times. In the case of aluminum samples, results show that SSGSC sample of Al ۱۰۵۰ has a strength-to-weight ratio ۱.۷ times greater than the monolithic Al ۱۰۵۰ sample.

Composite sandwich panel, Grid stiffened core, Three-point bending, Numerical simulation.