Mechanical Characterization of Sandwich Structure Comprised of Glass FiberReinforced Foam

ABSTRACT: This paper intends to demonstrate the feasibility of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels for low-profile bypass roadways. For such application, potential field cases were considered whose analysis (according to serviceability and strength criteria) accounted for the mechanical properties reported in the first part of this paper. The characterization was composed of an experimental program including static and dynamic fatigue tests, and the investigation focused on the ultimate capacity and stiffness (compressive and flexural) of the sandwich structure, as well as its residual strength and rigidity after fatigue conditioning. It was found a residual compressive strength after two million cycles considerably higher than the peak surface pressure resulting from a HS25-44 truck wheel. The parameters obtained in the flexural tests were used in the analysis that considered two possible situations: panel laid over an opening and fully supported panel. Finally, recommendations on appropriate panel lengths for such cases are presented. 1