Experimental Testing, Manufacturing and Numerical Modelling of Composite and Sandwich Structures (Second Edition)

Dear Colleagues,

Composite materials can be used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, construction, sports equipment, and electronics. These materials have a high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent fatigue and corrosion resistance, and low thermal expansion. They can also be tailored to specific applications by varying the type, size, and orientation of the reinforcement material, as well as the type of matrix material used. However, there are issues to be solved, including high production costs, difficulty in repairing damage, susceptibility to delamination and other types of damage, and characterization/modelling difficulties. Recent research has focused on issues such as advanced manufacturing techniques (including 3D printing and digital manufacturing), nanocomposites (to improve higher strength and stiffness, or thermal and electrical conductivity), sustainable composites (using renewable or recycled materials), multifunctional composites (taking advantage of shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, and carbon nanotubes), bioinspired composites (spider silk, seashells, and bone, and their unique properties’ replication in synthetic materials), and numerical modelling (new approaches to simulate complex behaviour). Composite sandwich structures are widely used in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, stiffness, and durability. Recent research topics include material selection, advanced and automated manufacturing processes, improved design with cellular and honeycomb core structures, dynamic behaviour (impact, blast, and vibration), and multi-functional properties (using phase change materials as core materials). To advance the state-of-the-art and spread the recent advances in all composite-related matters, this Special Issue intends to collate a significant number of contributions in this area through high-quality original or review works, subsequently promoting the Special Issue’s publication through the open access system.

Dr. Raul D. S. G. Campilho
Guest Editor

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• advanced composite materials and structures
• fibre-reinforced composite
• polymer composite
• metallic composite
• innovative composite material applications
• aerospace composites
• nanocomposites
• smart composites
• sustainable composites
• multifunctional composites
• bioinspired composites
• composite characterization
• composite testing
• composite mechanical behaviour
• composite fabrication
• advanced manufacturing techniques
• sandwich structures
• sandwich skin
• sandwich core
• sandwich failure mechanisms
• experimental and numerical modelling
• manufacturing simulation
• numerical simulation
• finite element analysis
• constitutive relationships
• damage onset and propagation
• damage and failure
• impact on composites

• Experimental Testing, Manufacturing and Numerical Modelling of Composite and Sandwich Structures in Materials (18 articles)