Analysis of sandwich single cantilever beam test specimen with graded core

Abstract

In previous research, an analysis model named the ‘beam on Vlasov foundation model’ was proposed to theoretically analyze the compliance and energy release rate of sandwich single cantilever beam (SCB) test specimens. The validity of the analytical model was confirmed when it was applied to sandwich specimens with homogeneous cores. In this study, the analysis model is applied to the analysis of a sandwich SCB test specimen where the Young’s modulus of the core varies along the thickness direction. The procedures to obtain the solution for two specific cases are described. One is the case that the Young’s modulus of the core varies in the thickness direction as an exponential function. The other is the case that the Young’s modulus of the core varies as a combination of exponential functions which is symmetric with respect to the midplane of the core. By comparing with finite element analysis, it is confirmed that the beam analysis model can provide reliable results even when the core is inhomogeneous in the thickness direction.