Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Maximum Load

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic2187.aspx

By freakqnc - 7/8/2012 11:41:42 PM

I have a quick noob question, any help will be appreciated.

What would be needed if wanting to use resin infused carbon fiber to build a portable surface (something like a camping bed) that could support the weight of 400~500 pounds (180~225Kg)?

The supporting structure could be an aluminum frame unless there is a way to make also a modular and portable supporting structure out of the same materials (infused carbon fiber)

Thanks for any info Smile

Cheers!
By Matt (Staff) - 7/9/2012 10:03:11 AM

Hi Freakqnc,

It's not a question with an easy answer I'm afraid because so much would depend on the substructure that the difference in required strength for the deck from one design to the next would be huge. For example, if your substructure was just a perimeter frame with no cross-members adding support for the deck then you would need quite a sturdy deck, however if the subframe had multiple cross-members (like the underside of a typical bed-frame) then you would need much less stiffness from the deck.

Thickness of the panel will play a major roll in its stiffness and is probably the key to making the deck as light as you can, when trying to achieve a given stiffness. I think I would suggest maybe two layers of 200g carbon fibre cloth neither side of a 5mm closed cell PVC foam core as a good starting point. You would need to perforate the closed cell foam with lots of drill holes (2mm holes, 15mm centres) in order to allow the resin to flow through it during infusion.

I hope this helps.

Matt