Dynamic Axial Crushing of Corrugated Composite Plates

Abstract

This paper presents the dynamic crushing performance of corrugated composite plate with different profiles. Samples of sinusoidal, square, and triangular corrugated profiles were experimentally tested. They were subjected to axial dynamic load. A weight of 10.5 kg have been freely dropped from a height of 1m, 2m, and 3m. The idea is to understand the effect of corrugation geometry on energy absorption performance. All specimens have been fabricated by hand lay-up technique. Each plate has a six layers of woven roving E-glass fabric and polyester resin. In order to get useful design data, dynamic testing is essential to determine a quantitative measure of energy absorption. Results obtained from dynamic tests conducted showed that corrugation profile has high effect on energy absorption capability. It is also observed that, specimens of square profile recorded the highest capability of energy absorption characteristics compared with sinusoidal and triangular profiles. This result came exactly in conformity with the results of quasi-static load applied on similar specimen that performed in a previous research.