Carbon Foam Core Composite Sandwich Beams: Flexure Response

The possibility of utilizing an open-cell carbon foam in structural applications is assessed through integrated testing and computational analysis. The structural elements considered are sandwich beams with carbon-epoxy laminate face sheets and carbon foam core subjected to bending loads. The primary damage mode observed is the formation of shear cracks in the carbon foam core at a measured axial strain of 2473 me on the face sheet. Subsequently, three-dimensional FEA models are developed to identify the damage modes and the progressive damage pattern for an isotropic carbon foam core. Results of the computational simulations displacements, axial strains, and damage modes - correlated well with the test outcome.