Carbon Fiber Reinforced Steel Spaceframe Techniques

This paper presents several basic construction techniques involved in using carbon fiber sandwich boards to reinforce a tubular steel spaceframe. Also described are tests on modular panels of various designs utilizing carbon fiber sandwich panels as a supporting member. Comparison of a conventional, all steel truss to several carbon fiber reinforced spaceframe techniques has been made as well as an analysis of the stiffness per mass and ultimate strength of each design. The design using structural rivets to connect aircraft grommets in the panels to steel strips welded to the tubing yielded the greatest benefits in stiffness per mass and ultimate strength.