Numerical simulation and experimental bending behaviour of multi-layer sandwich structures

In this paper, an experimental investigation, an analytical analysis and a numerical model of a typical four-point bending test on a polypropylene honeycomb multi-layer sandwich panel are proposed. The polypropylene honeycomb core is modelled as a single solid and multi-layer of equivalent material properties. Analytical and numerical (finite element) homogenization approaches are used to compute the effective properties of the single honeycomb core and analytical homogenization of the multi-layer one. The results obtained by numerical simu- lation (finite element) of four-point bending are compared with the experimental results of a polypropylene honeycomb core/composite facing multi-layer sandwich structures.