Calibrazione di un modello numerico di un composito sandwich mediante test in piccola e grande scala / Calibration of a numerical model of a sandwich composite by small and large scale tests

Finite element modelling of structures is nowadays a widely used calculation technique, even for design of pleasure craft built in composite materials. Design of such complex structures needs reliable and precise numericalmodels. Therefore, calibration of themodelwith experimental results is desirable. The application to hull shell of composite sandwich, having pre-preg epoxy skins and coremade of syntactic epoxy foam,was studied in the framework of a wider research programme. Large scale three point bending tests of panels of such sandwichwere carried out in theDINAV Ship Structures laboratory and were completed by traditional small scale tests. In addition to global load and deflections, gages measured the strains on the outer sides of skins and between the foamcore and the skins. In addition to the traditional gages, innovative wire sensors, conceived by theDINAV laboratory,were inserted between the core and the skins during the lamination. Experimental data were compared with finite elementmodels results, thus obtaining their calibration.