THERMAL BUCKLING AND BENDING ANALYSES OF CARBON FOAM BEAMS SANDWICHED BY COMPOSITE FACES UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION

Abstract

The bending and critical buckling loads of a sandwich beam structure subjected to thermal load and axial compression were simulated and temperature distribution across sandwich layers was investigated by finite element analysis and validated analytically. The sandwich structure was consisted of two face sheets and a core, carbon fiber and carbon foam were used as face sheet and core respectively for more efficient stiffness results. The analysis was repeated with different materials to reduce thermal strain and heat flux of sandwich beams. Applying both ends fixed as temperature boundary conditions, temperature induced stresses were observed, steady-state thermal analysis was performed, and conduction through sandwich layers along with their deformation nature were investigated based on the material properties of the combination of face sheets and core. The best material combination was found for the reduction of heat flux and thermal strain, and addition of aerogel material significantly reduced thermal stresses without adding weight to the sandwich structure.