Predicting mechanical behavior of novel sandwich composite panels based on 3D warp : knitted spacer fabrics using Finite Element Method (FEM)

Abstract

In the present work, mechanical behavior of novel sandwich composite panels based on 3D knitted spacer fabrics has been predicted using Finite Element Method (FEM). Composite panels were produced using three different types of spacer fabrics having different structural parameters. The sandwich panels were fabricated based on an unsaturated polyester resin using a modified vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process which allowed the formation of low density core structures. The produced sandwich composite panels were simulated for flexural, compressive and flatwise tensile strength using Abaqus 6.9.3 FEM package.