Test rig for the determination of shear strength (shear properties) of thin-core sandwich material

Important results from the project

The aim of the project has been to develop and produce a prototype of a test rig to introduce and test a simple and cost-effective method for the characterization of shear properties of sandwich materials over the existing test methods. In addition, the current method has less impact on the environment with reduced time for sample preparation. In our opinion, the obtained results have good reliability and repeatability in their entirety. In addition, we see potential opportunities to develop a test for a combination of load cases, e.g., compression and shear loads.

Expected long term effects

1. A simple test method with good accuracy and precision 2. A cost-efficient method that allows user to increase the number of samples/tests 3. Good repeatability reduced that resulting in a few numbers of test with sufficient statistical results 4. No chemicals are used for the sample preparation, which means that there is no negative environmental impact

Approach and implementation

1. Literature study and collecting of knowledge from the previous projects 2. Identify problems, disadvantages and benefits of existing methods 3. Establish a digital model of test rig with new construction elements 4. Manufacturing of test rigs - the first prototype with design modification according to prototype manufacturers 5. Acquisition of adapter for installation in the existing tensile test machine 6. Conducting tests and analyzes of results 7. Identification of inadequacies and improvement suggestions 8. Documentation and presentation of results