Finite Element Analysis of the Impact Behavior of Sandwich Panels with Nanocomposite Face sheet (Epoxy/ Fiberglass/Nanosilica)

In this research, the impact behavior of nanocomposite sandwich panels with epoxy/fiberglass/nanosilica face sheet were assessed by the finite element method. In the first step, the mechanical properties of the nanoparticle-containing composite should be obtained. A unit cell of fabric was designed in Catia software and placed within the designed polymeric matrix. The mechanical properties of this unit cell were defined as a new matrix and the nanoparticles were randomly dispersed in the new matrix using a Python code. The elastic properties of the modeled nanocomposite were obtained using Abaqus software via applying periodic boundary conditions based on the mean volumetric stress. In the next step, the sandwich structure was subjected to impact loads at various speeds and contact force-time diagrams were plotted using Abaqus software. The modeled results were compared with the known experimental data which showed a high accuracy in predicting the mechanical properties and impact behavior of the nanocomposite sandwich structures.