Strength Analysis of a Composite Joint Used in Ship Structure

Abstract

Low weight and high strength panels are always taken into account when designing materials for sandwich panel technology, which offers an efficient solution for different problems. Different types of sandwich panels are currently being used depending on the applications. Honeycomb sandwich panels are a better solution in structural design problem. The work presented in the paper is focused on the study of the behaviour of a composite joint used in ship structure, loaded by transversal force. The components of the joint are sandwich plates, made out of core polypropylene honeycomb and extruded polystyrene and face sheets of the resin polymer. A typical sandwich panel is made of three layers, in which two thin sheets (faces) of a stiff and strong material are separated by a thick core of lowdensity materials (Allen, 1961). Considering the various uses of these materials in numerous fields, it is essential to know their mechanical properties so as to predict and calculate their behaviour in specific and diverse environments.