Effect of Temperature, Humidity, and Loading Rate on the Shear Properties of Tactical Shelter Core Materials

Abstract : Honeycomb core shear specimens were prepared and tested using five types of core material,, two test methods, and four test conditions. The objective was to determine the effect of loading rate, temperature, and environmental exposure on the shear strength of the various core materials. The results indicated that the core shear strengths were relatively unaffected by loading rate. For all core materials tested, the shear strength decreased with increasing temperature; and humidity aging further decreased the strength. Core shear strength was also found to decrease with increasing core thickness; and the beam shear test method was found to produce higher apparent shear strengths than the plate shear test method. Lastly, glass/phenolic cores (HRP & HTP) were less affected by temper;ature and humidity than were the paper (WRII), Nomex (HRH-10), or balsa cores.