Mechanical characterization and dynamic behavior of 3D printed composite sandwich panel featuring hybrid semi-active core through experimental and numerical approach

Abstract

The work presented in this article is focused on the investigation of free and forced vibration characteristics of the 3D printed composite hybrid magnetorheological elastomer sandwich panel. The 3D printed composite sandwich panel contains the constraining and base layers made of 3D printed composites and the core layer made of carbon nanotubes reinforced magnetorheological elastomer (hybrid-MRE). The material properties of the 3D printed composites and hybrid-MREs are identified using ASTM standard tests. Higher-order shear deformation theory and finite element formulations are employed to derive the governing equations of the 3D printed sandwich panel. The performance of the derived numerical model is validated by comparing the results evaluated using experimental investigations on the prototype of 3D printed composite MRE and hybrid-MRE sandwich panels under various support conditions. The influence of CNT wt.%, magnetic field, core-face sheet thickness ratio, and support conditions on the dynamic properties of 3D printed sandwich panel are explored. Also, the forced vibrations of the 3D printed sandwich panel are examined at different magnetic fields.

Keywords:

• 3D printed composites
• sandwich structure
• CNT-MRE
• finite element method
• free and forced vibrations

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore for providing “VIT SEED GRANT” for carrying out this research work.