A SEMI-ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR BENDING, BUCKLING, AND FREE VIBRATION ANALYSES OF SANDWICH PANELS WITH SQUARE-HONEYCOMB CORES

Abstract

A semi-analytical method for bending, global buckling, and free vibration analyses of sandwich panels with square-honeycomb cores is presented. The discrete geometric nature of the square-honeycomb core is taken into account by treating the core sheets as thin beams and the sandwich panel as composite structure of plates and beams with proper displacement compatibility. Based on the classical model of sandwich panels, the governing equations of motion of the discrete structure are derived using Hamilton's principle. Closed-form solutions are developed for bending, global buckling, and free vibration of simply supported square-honeycomb sandwich panels by employing Fourier series and the Galerkin approach. Results from the proposed method agree well with available results in the literature and those from detailed finite element analysis. The effects of various geometric parameters of the sandwich panel on its behavior are investigated. The present method provides an efficient way of analysis and optimization of sandwich panels with square-honeycomb cores.