Sustainable Marine Structures

Ultimate Capacity of Metal Matrix Composites Sandwich under Impulsive Loads for Marine Structural Applications

Rasgianti

Power Generation System Research Department, PT PLN (Persero) Research Institute, Jakarta 12760, Indonesia

Aldi Fahli Muzaqih

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia

Ristiyanto Adiputra

Research Center for Hydrodynamics Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Surabaya 60112, Indonesia

Ariyana Dwiputra Nugraha

Power Generation System Research Department, PT PLN (Persero) Research Institute, Jakarta 12760, Indonesia

Almas Aprilana

Power Generation System Research Department, PT PLN (Persero) Research Institute, Jakarta 12760, Indonesia  

Aditya Rio Prabowo

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/sms.v7i4.2830

Received: 13 October 2025 | Revised: 31 October 2025 | Accepted: 27 November 2025 | Published Online: 10 December 2025

---

Abstract

The growing utilization of the ocean as a renewable energy source drives the need for reliable maritime infrastructure. One major challenge for these structures is withstanding impulsive loads from extreme ocean waves, which requires materials with high strength and deformation resistance to maintain structural integrity. Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is a promising material, yet studies on its behavior under impulsive loading remain limited. This study investigates the ultimate capacity of MMC sandwich structures using the Finite Element Method (FEM) through simulations with an Underwater Shock Loading Simulator (USLS). Validation against the results of He et al. confirms the accuracy of the simulation method. Results indicate that increasing flyer velocity from 135 to 195 m/s raises the maximum displacement from 5.83 mm to 10.7 mm. Increasing face sheet thickness from 0.4 to 1.8 mm reduces deformation from 4.95 to 3.09 mm, while increasing core thickness from 14 to 20 mm decreases deflection from 5.42 to 3.68 mm. Furthermore, the thickness ratio analysis indicates that the 1:10 configuration produces the smallest deformation (4.13 mm) and is more efficient because it provides higher stiffness with lower mass. These findings demonstrate that optimizing core and face sheet thickness significantly enhances structural resistance to deformation. The study concludes that a balanced thickness configuration is key to improving the structural performance of MMC sandwiches, supporting the design of stronger and more sustainable materials for maritime structures in extreme environments.

Keywords: Impulsive Load; Marine Structure; Metal Matrix Composite; Sandwich Composite

---

References

[1] Naufal, A.M., Prabowo, A.R., Muttaqie, T., et al., 2024. Characterization of Sandwich Materials —Nomex-Aramid Carbon Fiber Performances Under Mechanical Loadings: Nonlinear FE and Convergence Studies. Reviews on Advanced Materials Science. 63(1), 20230177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2023-0177

[2] Wilberforce, T., El Hassan, Z., Durrant, A., et al., 2019. Overview of Ocean Power Technology. Energy. 175, 165–181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.03.068

[3] Prabowoputra, D.W., Prabowo, A.R., Yaningsih, I., et al., 2023. Effect of Blade Angle and Number on the Performance of Bánki Hydro-Turbines: Assessment Using CFD and FDA Approaches. Evergreen. 10(1), 519–530. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5109/6782156

[4] Rahman, J., Aghaeidoost, V., Billah, A.M., 2024. Resilience of Coastal Bridges Under Extreme Wave-Induced Loads. Resilient Cities and Structures. 3(2), 85–100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcns.2024.07.002

[5] Corigliano, P., Frisone, F., Chianese, C., et al., 2024. Fatigue Overview of Ship Structures Under Induced Wave Loads. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 12(9), 1608. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091608

[6] Huang, W., Zhang, W., Huang, X., et al., 2017. Dynamic Response of Aluminum Corrugated Sandwich Subjected to Underwater Impulsive Loading: Experiment and Numerical Modeling. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 109, 78–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2017.06.002

[7] Xu, Y., Xia, D.-H., Zhang, J., et al., 2023. Mechanical Failure and Metal Degradation of Ships and Marine Structures. Metals. 13(2), 272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met13020272

[8] Nurcholis, A., Prabowo, A.R., Muhayat, N., et al., 2024. Performances of the Sandwich Panel Structures Under Fire Accident Due to Hydrogen Leaks: Consideration of Structural Design and Environment Factor Using FE Analysis. Curved and Layered Structures. 11(1), 20240005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cls-2024-0005

[9] Hanif, M.I., Adiputra, R., Prabowo, A.R., et al., 2023. Effects of the Geometrical Imperfections on the Ultimate Strength Performances: A Case Study on the Designed-Steel Stiffened Panel. Procedia Structural Integrity. 47, 125–132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2023.07.003

[10] Elanchezhian, C., Vijaya Ramnath, B., Ramakrishnan, G., et al., 2018. Review on Metal Matrix Composites for Marine Applications. Materials Today: Proceedings. 5(1), 1211–1218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.203

[11] Islami, D.P., Muzaqih, A.F., Adiputra, R., et al., 2024. Structural Design Parameters of Laminated Composites for Marine Applications: Milestone Study and Extended Review on Current Technology and Engineering. Results in Engineering. 24, 103195. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103195

[12] Alqwasmi, N., Tarlochan, F., Alkhatib, S.E., 2020. Study of Mild Steel Sandwich Structure Energy Absorption Performance Subjected to Localized Impulsive Loading. Materials. 13(3), 670. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030670

[13] Zhang, B., Tao, J., Cui, J., et al., 2024. Energy Absorption Characteristics of Composite Material with Fiber–Foam Metal Sandwich Structure Subjected to Gas Explosion. Materials. 17(7), 1596. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071596

[14] Banhart, D., Monir, S., Durieux, O., et al., 2024. A Review of Experimental and Numerical Methodologies for Impact Testing of Composite Materials. Sensing Technology. 2(1), 2304886. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/28361466.2024.2304886

[15] Sholikhah, M., Ridwan, R., Prabowo, A.R., et al., 2024. Strength Assessment of Stiffened-Panel Structures against Buckling Loads: FE Benchmarking and Analysis. Civil Engineering Journal. 10(4), 1034–1050. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-04-03

[16] Marx, J., Rabiei, A., 2021. Tensile Properties of Composite Metal Foam and Composite Metal Foam Core Sandwich Panels. Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials. 23(8), 3773–3793. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1099636220942880

[17] Zhao, H., Elnasri, I., Girard, Y., 2007. Perforation of Aluminium Foam Core Sandwich Panels Under Impact Loading—An Experimental Study. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 34(7), 1246–1257. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2006.06.011

[18] Latour, M., D’Aniello, M., Babcsan, N., et al., 2022. Bending Response of Sandwich Panels with Steel Skins and Aluminium Foam Core. Steel Construction. 15(2), 73–80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/stco.202100044

[19] Styles, M., Compston, P., Kalyanasundaram, S., 2007. The Effect of Core Thickness on the Flexural Behaviour of Aluminium Foam Sandwich Structures. Composite Structures. 80(4), 532–538. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2006.07.002

[20] Ren, P., Zhou, J., Tian, A., et al., 2018. Experimental Investigation on Dynamic Failure of Carbon/Epoxy Laminates Under Underwater Impulsive Loading. Marine Structures. 59, 285–300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marstruc.2018.02.004

[21] Cui, X., Zhao, L., Wang, Z., et al., 2012. Dynamic Response of Metallic Lattice Sandwich Structures to Impulsive Loading. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 43, 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2011.11.004

[22] Avachat, S., Zhou, M., 2016. Compressive Response of Sandwich Plates to Water-Based Impulsive Loading. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 93, 196–210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2016.03.007

[23] Avachat, S., Qu, T., Zhou, M., 2018. Geometry and Size Effects in Response of Composite Structures Subjected to Water-Based Impulsive Loading. In: Gopalakrishnan, S., Rajapakse, Y. (Eds.). Blast Mitigation Strategies in Marine Composite and Sandwich Structures, Springer Transactions in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Springer: Singapore. pp. 443–470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7170-6_23

[24] Zhu, F., Zhao, L., Lu, G., et al., 2008. Structural Response and Energy Absorption of Sandwich Panels with an Aluminium Foam Core under Blast Loading. Advances in Structural Engineering. 11(5), 525–536. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1260/136943308786412005

[25] He, X., Rong, J., Xiang, D., 2017. Damage Analysis of Aluminium Foam Panel Subjected to Underwater Shock Loading. Shock and Vibration. 2017, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6031414

[26] Avachat, S., Zhou, M., 2012. Effect of Facesheet Thickness on Dynamic Response of Composite Sandwich Plates to Underwater Impulsive Loading. Experimental Mechanics. 52(1), 83–93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-011-9538-4

[27] Hegde, S.R., Hojjati, M., 2019. Effect of Core and Facesheet Thickness on Mechanical Property of Composite Sandwich Structures Subjected to Thermal Fatigue. International Journal of Fatigue. 127, 16–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2019.05.031

[28] Muzaqih, A.F., Adiputra, R., Prabowo, A.R., et al., 2025. Analysis of Ultimate Capacity of Sandwich Composite Material Against Impulse Load: A Study Case of Fluid-Structure Interaction by FE Approach. Results in Engineering. 26, 105506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.105506

[29] Avachat, S., Zhou, M., 2015. High-Speed Digital Imaging and Computational Modeling of Dynamic Failure in Composite Structures Subjected to Underwater Impulsive Loads. International Journal of Impact Engineering. 77, 147–165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2014.11.008

[30] Taylor, G.I., 1963. The Pressure and Impulse of Submarine Explosion Waves on Plates. In: Bachelor, G.K. (Ed.). The Scientific Papers of Sir Geoffrey Ingram Taylor, volume III: Aerodynamics and the mechanics of Projectiles and Explosions. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. pp. 287–303.

[31] Swisdak, M.M., 1978. Explosion Effect and Properties: Part II—Explosion Effect in Water. Naval Surface Weapons Center: Dahlgren, VA, USA. Available from: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/01/550573.pdf

[32] Zhang, W., Cai, Z., Zhang, X., et al., 2022. Numerical Simulation Analysis on Surface Quality of Aluminum Foam Sandwich Panel in Plastic Forming. Metals. 13(1), 65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met13010065

[33] Ye, N., Sun, Z., Guo, Q., et al., 2025. Experimental Investigation Concerning the Influence of Face Sheet Thickness on the Blast Resistance of Aluminum Foam Sandwich Structures Subjected to Localized Impulsive Loading. Metals. 15(10), 1122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met15101122

[34] Crupi, V., Epasto, G., Guglielmino, E., 2011. Impact Response of Aluminum Foam Sandwiches for Light-Weight Ship Structures. Metals. 1(1), 98–112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met1010098