Designing sandwich polymer matrix composite panels for structural integrity in fire

This is the continuation of our published paper [Gu P, Asaro RJ. Designing polymer matrix composite panels for structural integrity in fire. Compos Struct 2008;84:300–9]. This paper addresses the compressive mechanical load bearing capacity of sandwich polymer matrix composite panels under transverse thermal gradients caused by fire. An example of such combined loading condition is that of panels in ship and vessel structures under transverse thermal gradients caused by fire. Specifically, we discuss the mechanical design considerations, failure modes that lead the panels to fail in the combined thermal–mechanical condition. An approach to assess critical load among the failure modes is discussed for design purpose. A computer program is developed based on the approach to evaluate sandwich panel’s load bearing capacity in fire. Examples are presented to design the panel for given thermal and mechanical requirements. Due to the core’s low bending stiffness, there is a large decrease of the panel’s load bearing capacity when the fire-exposed skin is degradated.