Finite element modelling of fibre reinforced polymer sandwich panels exposed to heat

A finite element model that predicts temperature distribution in a composite panel exposed to a heat source, such as fire, is described. The panel is assumed to be composed of skins consisting of polymer matrix reinforced with fibres and a lightweight core (the paper concentrates on the crucial aspect of the problem, i.e. the behaviour of the 'hot' skin of the panel. The core is assumed not to decompose, and the 'cold' skin is treated exactly as the 'hot' skin.) It is assumed that the polymer matrix undergoes chemical decomposition. Such a model results in a set of coupled non-linear transient partial differential equations. A Galerkin finite element framework is formulated to yield a fully implicit time stepping scheme. The crucial input parameters for the model are carefully identified for subsequent experimental determination. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.