Yet another hard-sided popup build thread— (Alu-Cab ModCAP platform)

[Alphamacaroon]

Oh I also just realized that the area calculation in my cad program was excluding the window cut out.


The real square footage is 18.03, and if we take our 17.8 lbs (weight without aluminum), it ends up being 0.99 lbs per square foot. So it seems my scale is fairly accurate because it's right about where we'd expect it to be based on the JM datasheet.

TLDR; GoBoard composite panels and Carbon-Core panels are basically equal in weight according to their datasheets, and that is confirmed by real world measurements.

 

[rruff]

I have performed some very unscientific strength, stiffness and impact tests, and while I can't compare it to FRP panels (because I have none), I can say that they seem to meet the standards for my project. Only time will tell, but at $3.66 vs. $10.00 per square foot I can afford to screw up a few times

Mine are pretty unscientific also. I checked to see if stiffness was what I expected for FG and carbon hand laid skins (they were, with carbon being ~2.5x stiffer) and for strength I decided that impact... or "whack it with a hammer" tests... were the most relevant, and FG was better than carbon for similar thickness, though by weight it was probably about the same. This was a small sledge hammer and Carbon Core 4lb PVC. For most panels I have ~32oz/sq yd FG plus epoxy, and 1.5" core weighs ~1.5 lbs/sq ft. I used carbon for the base and door, where I wanted more stiffness.

Note Carbon Core's panels have PP hex core and I think 17oz/sq yd FG+resin skins, so it's a structural panel. Similar to what Aterra uses, if not identical.

I'm curious how stout the skins and foam are on the panels you have. They can be bought in 4x8 sheets and up to 2" thick, though these are not typically stocked.

 

[Alphamacaroon]

Mine are pretty unscientific also. I checked to see if stiffness was what I expected for FG and carbon hand laid skins (they were, with carbon being ~2.5x stiffer) and for strength I decided that impact... or "whack it with a hammer" tests... were the most relevant, and FG was better than carbon for similar thickness, though by weight it was probably about the same. This was a small sledge hammer and Carbon Core 4lb PVC. For most panels I have ~32oz/sq yd FG plus epoxy, and 1.5" core weighs ~1.5 lbs/sq ft.

Note Carbon Core's panels have PP hex core and I think 17oz/sq yd FG+resin skins, so it's a structural panel. Similar to what Aterra uses, if not identical.

I'm curious how stout the skins and foam are on the panels you have. They can be bought in 4x8 sheets and up to 2" thick, though these are not typically stocked.

I have a gut feeling that the Carbon-Core panels will likely be better in impact tests because of the plastic in the skin. If you hit the GoBoard hard enough it will leave an indentation, but maybe that's desirable in some cases where you'd rather it deform than to crack?

In my case I'm worried more about strength and stiffness and less about impact resistance, because these walls will only see the light of day when the vehicle is fully parked.

 

[rruff]

Oh that's right, these are only for your pop-up pieces. Much less structural concern there... after all, most are using canvas...