Abstract
Abstract In this paper a piecewise exponential model is proposed for analysis of three-dimensional elastic deformation of rectangular sandwich panels with graded core subjected to transverse loading. The model can be applied to any functionally graded plate or sandwich panel with graded core as long as the through thickness stiffness variation can be described by a smooth function. The new piecewise exponential model is fully validated through both comparison with results from the literature and a three-dimensional finite element method which employs user-implemented graded finite elements. As an example the new model is applied to three dimensional elasticity analysis of sandwich panels with power law variation in stiffness properties of the core and a comparative study is carried out to examine the effect of panel thickness and varying the power law index on panel’s response.
Highlights
Sandwich panels or plates are three layer structures comprising two face sheets of high strength and stiffness, separated by a core of lower density and strength
Due to the mismatch in stiffness properties between the face sheets and the core, sandwich panels are susceptible to delamination, caused by high interfacial stresses, especially under localised loading (Abrate, 1998) or at high service temperatures (Noda, 1999)
Icardi and Ferrero (2009) carried out optimisation studies on sandwich panels to find the orientation of the reinforcement in the face sheets and the variation of the core properties across the thickness with the view to minimise the interlaminar stress concentration under point loading
Summary
Sandwich panels or plates are three layer structures comprising two face sheets of high strength and stiffness, separated by a core of lower density and strength. Icardi and Ferrero (2009) carried out optimisation studies on sandwich panels to find the orientation of the reinforcement in the face sheets and the variation of the core properties across the thickness with the view to minimise the interlaminar stress concentration under point loading. They employed an approach based a refined zig-zag model with a high-order variation of displacements. As an example the new model is applied to analysis of sandwich panels with power law variation in stiffness properties of the core and a study is carried out to examine the effect of varying the power law index on panel’s response
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