Experimental investigation of static and fatigue behavior of honeycomb panels under in-plane shear loads

Bianchi, Gabriel, Aglietti, Guglielmo and Richardson, G. (2009) Experimental investigation of static and fatigue behavior of honeycomb panels under in-plane shear loads. 50th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, California, USA. 03 - 06 May 2009. 8 pp . (Submitted)

Abstract

Due to their high specific strength and high specific stiffness properties the use of
honeycomb panels is particularly attractive in spacecraft structures. However, the dynamic
loads produced during the launch of a satellite can subject the honeycomb cores of these
sandwich structures to numerous stress cycles, potentially leading to early fatigue failures.
Knowledge of the fatigue behavior of these honeycomb cores is thus a key requirement when
considering their use in spacecraft structural applications. This paper presents the findings
of an experimental test campaign carried out to investigate the static and fatigue behaviors
of aluminum hexagonal honeycomb cores subject to in-plane shear loads. The investigation
involved carrying out both static and fatigue tests using the single block shear test method.
These tests were conducted for both of the two principal cell orientations (L and W) and
from the results S-N fatigue curves for both cell orientations are presented, confronted and
discussed. These results are also discussed in relation to the observed damage and failure
modes which have been reported for the statically tested specimens and for the fatigue tested
specimens at various stages of fatigue life.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics