Experimental and numerical assessment of sustainable bamboo core sandwich panels under low-velocity impact

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 292; p. 123437
• Main Authors: Ávila de Oliveira, Lívia, Luiz Passaia Tonatto, Maikson, Luiza Cota Coura, Gabriela, Teixeira Santos Freire, Rodrigo, Hallak Panzera, Túlio, Scarpa, Fabrizio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 19.07.2021
• Subjects: Bamboo core; Biopolymer; Energy absorption; Low-velocity impact; Sandwich panel; Sandwich panel; Low-velocity impact; Bamboo core; Energy absorption; Biopolymer
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123437

•Variation in the diameter of the bamboo does not affect responses to impact.•Panels with biopolymer adhesive increase impact properties, except for total deflection.•Epoxy adhesive panels have greater rigidity and less energy absorption capacity.•Epoxy adhesive panels result in catastrophic fracture with full deformation of the bottom skin.•The finite element design achieves a good correlation with the experimental data. This work describes the experimental and numerical behaviour of sandwich panels made of aluminium skins and bamboo core under low-velocity impact test. A statistical design is carried out to evaluate the effect of the bamboo diameter (Ø20 and Ø30 mm) and the adhesive type (epoxy and biopolymer) on the maximum load, energy to maximum load, total deflection and total energy of the panels, which are assessed through graphical and failure analysis. A non-linear finite element (FE) analysis is developed to simulate the low-velocity impact test and to predict the failure mechanisms of the skins, bamboo core and adhesive. The experimental results show that, unlike the adhesive type, the bamboo diameter variation does not significantly affect the impact properties. Sandwich panels made of epoxy adhesive exhibit greater rigidity and lower maximum load than those with biopolymer, resulting in premature core-face debonding. On the other hand, sandwich panels made with biopolymer have a greater capacity for absorbing energy and maintaining structural integrity. The numerical simulation indicates a good correlation with the experimental data for load–displacement impact curves, kinematic energy-time curves, perforation process and failure modes.