Composite Panel Definition

[IFRs]

Does the definition of a metallic composite panel allow for a top skin, bottom skin and nothing but air between? Is some material inside necessary for it to be called a composite panel? The edges of these panels are finished with channels all around.

 

[dik]

There should be some intermediate material and at least one 'skin' that are interconnected so that the properties of the different materials act compositely. The intermediate material can be a channel, or whatever but it has to be connected so that the assembly acts in a composite manner. Strength is predicated on all components working 'together'.

If it's a legal issue, you should talk to a lawyer.

Dik

 

[dhengr]

IFRs:
Channels at all four edges and two thin skins t&b might more accurately be called a stressed skin panel. But, they almost always need some void fill material or structure of some sort to make the two skins act better together and to prevent the skin which is in compression from buckling. The void in fill system might be bonded aluminum honeycomb, or a bonded corrugated cardboard honeycomb. Goggle “Hexcel,” for example, or cut a good hollow core door in your house in half. All material in the panel can be the same material, or the channels and void in fill might be a slightly lower strength, or different materials than the skins, which are invariable more highly stressed. Similarly, a build-up WF or plate girder might be made up of high strength flanges and a lesser strength web material. The members/panels made up of different strength materials are usually called hybrid members’/panels. Composite members are usually made up of different materials, and the different materials, at their interface, are intentionally designed to act in unison, as one final member. Examples of composite construction might be steel beams/girders, with shear transfer mechanisms on the top flange, and then a concrete slab is cast around and over the top flange so the two materials truly act together, and take advantage of the best attributes of each material. That is, the steel is particularly good in tension and is the lower part (tension area) of the simple beam, while the concrete particularly good in compression and stiff w.r.t. buckling and lateral buckling makes up the top (compression area) of the composite beam member.