Experimental and numerical investigation of shear strain and failure in sandwich panels with foam-core and jute/glass composite faces under 3-point bending

There is a growing demand for natural fibers related to cost and environmental issues. This work focuses on the influence of the stacking sequence and hybridization on the shear strain of sandwich panels with glass/jute composite faces and polyethylene terephthalate foam core. Behavior comparison followed analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches. Failure analyses of the panels were performed numerically using the finite element method, with progressive damage and Hashin failure criterion. Digital image correlation was used to examine total surface deformation. Results showed that the hybrids presented better overall mechanical properties.