Investigation on the dynamic response of circular sandwich panels with the bio-inspired gradient core

Abstract

Abstract A circular bio-inspired in-plane gradient core is designed based on the Royal Water Lily venation structure. The dynamic responses of various clamped circular sandwich panels with the bio-inspired gradient core under blast loadings are investigated using a combined numerical and theoretical approach. Four groups of gradient cores, such as negative, hybrid, non-gradient, and positive cores, are obtained by adjusting cell wall thickness. The classical circular sandwich panel model under blast loading is modified by introducing the in-plane gradient of the core. The blast resistance of the in-plane gradient clamped circular sandwich panels are studied using the modified theoretical model. Simulation results are consistent with the theoretical predictions for clamped circular sandwich panels with various gradient cores. In comparison with other three kinds of gradient sandwich panels, the proposed sandwich panels with negative gradient cores have higher specific energy absorption and lower deflection of the back face sheet. Results show that a reasonable design of the density of the gradient core can effectively improve the mechanical behaviors of the sandwich structure without adding additional mass in the structure. Such results can provide guidance for the in-plane design of sandwich structures.