Unique Designs Using Foam and Balsa Core Composite Structure for Mass Transit Buses, Ships, and Bridge Decks

doi:10.1201/9781003067771-24

Chapter

Unique Designs Using Foam and Balsa Core Composite Structure for Mass Transit Buses, Ships, and Bridge Decks

ABSTRACT

The paper discusses general design criteria for foam and balsa core materials when used with composite face sheets. Practical aspects of aging are then discussed in regard to air and water environments. Lesson learned from the application of core materials to aircraft structure, a bus (Advanced Composite Technology Bus), a ship (DDG-51) composite equipment room, and a bridge (Schuyler Heim Bridge) deck are then presented.