Experimental Validation of a Novel Thin-Walled Beam Prototype

Abstract

In this paper, an experimental validation of a novel beam prototype is performed. Tensile tests, both until rupture and on the elastic domain were done in order to determine the material properties. They were used then in Finite Element Analysis model built in ANSYS Mechanical APDL. Three experimental tests were done to the prototype, and, in order to minimize errors, the average value of the three tests determined, and compared with results obtained from the numerical model. It was shown that it was possible to manufacture the beam by the presented manufacturing methodology. An acceptable correlation between the numerical an experimental results was found.

Determination of the Dynamic Behavior of Thin-Walled Hollow-Box Sandwich Beams

“…Although the internal reinforcements are useful in improving the static behavior, as shown in [12][13][14]16,17], the improvement they originate do not appear to be worth the price of increasing the mass. All the 12 studied beams were already subjected to optimization routines for the improvement of the static behavior [12][13][14]16,17]. The initial and optimized models were then subjected to modal analysis.…”

“…These models represent different versions of the project of novel beams. They are composed of two sandwich panels on the top and on the bottom, and a reinforcement pattern on the sides, as shown in Figure 1: Such models were earlier discussed by the authors in other application aspects [12][13][14]16,17]. Simple hollow-box beams, named hollow-solid sections, and abbreviated HSS in the results were also studied, using the same conditions as on the sandwich beams.…”

“…In the peripheral zone, there are two lateral zones, and two other zones: one at top and the other at the bottom. The ANSYS input file contains instructions to collect the displacements on the no [12][13][14]16,17] and geometric variables of the FEM model used on the design optimization (right) [14,17].…”

“…Their final values are shown in Table 1. The analyzed models were previously subjected to bending and torsion modelled as uncoupled loads, in [12][13][14]16,17].…”

“…Similar beams were also subjected to design optimization procedures [14,15]. In addition, a beam comparable to the one under study has been produced and put through experimental testing [16].…”