Hope College Department of Physics and Engineering Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer 2005 Project Summary

The characteristic effects of quasi static load rate compression of honeycomb sandwich composites were analyzed. Typical stress-strain curves, for a single layer, include a steep slope rise to a sharp, distinct, repeatable peak, corresponding to initial plastic deformation followed by a leveling at approximately half peak strength where continued crushing and steady energy absorption occurs. Increasing loading rate results in decreasing energy absorption by as much as 15.6% from 0.1"/min to 5"/min. A stacked layer of two honeycomb samples, has a second distinct peak as the layers generally do not crush simultaneously. The second peak is attributed to the initial plastic deformation of the second layer.