E

SANDWICH CONCEPT

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

Jan-01
 DESIGN

SANDWICH MAIN PRINCIPLES

Whenever new materials or production methods appear there is a resistance to Sandwich is built up of three elements, see Fig. 1.1.
use them. Mostly the resistance originates in conservatism and ignorance. The * two faces
only way to overcome the resistance is to try to teach and convince the * core
opponents. * joints

This handbook has been written to spread knowledge about sandwich and under-
standing of its behaviour.

upper face
HISTORY
Historically, the principal of using two cooperating faces with a distance between
them was introduced by Delau about 1820. The first extensive use of sandwich
co re
panels was during World War II. In the Mosquito aircraft sandwich was used,
mainly because of the shortage of other materials in England during the war.
The faces were made of veneer and the core of balsa wood. lower face

During World War II the first theoretical writings about sandwich appeared. In
the 50s the development was mainly concentrated on honeycomb materials.
Honeycomb was mainly used as core material in the aircraft industry. However,
it had some limitations, for example there were big problems with corrosion.
At the end of the 50s and during the 60s different cellular plastics were produced,
suitable as core materials. In the beginning rather soft materials were used
because of their insulation properties, for example polystyrene and polyuret-
hane.
Later it was possible to produce harder cellular plastics with higher densities
and by that time sandwich became a very useful and flexible concept. Today
there is an enormous number of different qualities of cellular plastics as core
materials.
joints
Fig. 1.1 Sandwich
Every part has its specific function to make it work as a unit.
The aim is to use the material with a maximum of efficiency. The two faces are
placed at a distance from each other to increase the moment of inertia, and
thereby the flexural rigidity, about the neutral axis of the structure. A comparison
could be made with a solid beam. A Sandwich beam of the same width and
weight as a solid beam has a remarkably higher stiffness because of its higher
moment of inertia.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 DESIGN

Fig. 1.2 demonstrates, as a simple example, the difference in flexural rigidity for The lower case shows, as a comparison, a sandwich beam which is not very
a solid beam versus a sandwich beam. rigid in shear. Here the faces do not cooperate and the faces work as plates in
bending, independent of each other. The local flexural rigidities for the faces
d/ can in most cases be ignored. Accordingly, the result of a core that is weak in
2
shear is a loss of the sandwich effect.

weight flexural rigidity

1 1
b

d/ dd
4

1 (+ core) 12

d/
4
b

Fig. 1.2 Comparison of stiffness in bending between solid beam and sandwich beam

An important difference in comparing an
-beam with a sandwich beam is the

possibility for each to bear transverse loads. For an
beam the web is stiff
enough to give Naviers assumption validity, (i.e. plane cross sections remain
plane). In a sandwich beam the core material is usually not rigid in shear and
the assumption is not fullfilled. In bending the shear deflection in the core is not
negligible in most cases. There is also shear deflection in the faces but this can
be ignored.

The effect of shear rigidity in the core is shown in fig. 1.3. Fig 1.3 Comparison between cores that are rigid or weak in shear

The upper case shows an ideal sandwich beam which is relatively stiff in shear.
It is obvious how the faces cooperate without sliding over each other.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 DESIGN

Each of the parts in sandwich have their particular functions and will be described.

a/ The faces
The faces carry the tensile and compressive stresses in the sandwich. The
local flexural rigidity is so small that it can often be ignored. Conventional
materials such as steel, stainless steel and aluminium are often used for face
material. In many cases it is also suitable to choose fibre- or glass- reinforced
plastics as face materials. These materials are very easy to apply. Reinforced
plastics can be tailored to fulfill a range of demands like anisotrophic mechanical
properties, freedom of design, excellent surface finish etc.
Faces also carry local pressure. When the local pressure is high the faces
should be dimensioned for the shear forces connected to it.
b/ The core
The core has several important functions. It has to be stiff enough to keep the
distance between the faces constant. It must also be so rigid in shear that the
faces do not slide over each other. The shear rigidity forces the faces to
cooperate with each other. If the core is weak in shear the faces do not cooperate
and the sandwich will lose its stiffness. (See fig. 1.3).
This presentation demonstrates that it is the sandwich structure as a whole
that gives the positive effects. However, it should be mentioned that the core
has to fulfill the most complex demands. Strength in different directions and
low density are not the only properties that the core has to have. Often there
are special demands for buckling, insulation, absorption of moisture, ageing
resistence, etc.
c/ Adhesive (Bonding layer)
To keep the faces and the core co-operating with each other the adhesive between
the faces and the core,must be able to transfer the shear forces between the
faces and the core. The adhesive must be able to carry shear and tensile stresses.
It is hard to specify the demands on the joints. A simple rule is that the adhesive
should be able to take up the same shear stress as the core.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BEAMS AND STRUTS

ASSUMPTIONS
In this chapter it is assumed that the faces are thin and of the same thickness. Loads and deflections (w) are measured positive downwards, in the direction of
Shear and bending strains in the faces are small and can be ignored. The shear the z-axis. As a result of the choice of sign convention it is necessary to introduce
stress is assumed to be constant throughout the thickness of the core at any negative signs in some of the relationships between distributed load (q), shear
given section. For a beam with faces on the sides, the shear and bending strains force (Q), bending moment (M), slope (dw/dx), and deflection (w).
in the side faces cannot be ignored.
For reference, the full set of relationships, with the correct signs, is given:
In this chapter the beams are considered narrow. The conditions and directions
for when a beam is to be considered narrow or wide are found in the chapter
Beams considered narrow or wide.
Deflection w
SIGN CONVENTION FOR BENDING OF BEAMS
The sign conventions to be adopted for deflection, slope, curvature, bending Slope + dw/dx = w
moment and shear forces are illustrated in fig 2.1.
Curvature + w
(2.1)
M + Dw

x Q + Dw

+q + Dw (4)
y

Fig. 2.1. Sign conventions. Left, positive deflection, slope and curvature; negative bending
moment. Right, positive shear force, shear stress and shear strain.

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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

FLEXURAL RIGIDITY The first term amounts to less than 1% of the second when:
The theory for engineering stresses in beams is easily adapted to sandwich
d
beams with some modifications. Effects caused by shear deflections in the core > 5.77 (2.3)
must be added and certain terms may be neglected when calculating flexural t
rigidity.
At a ratio of d/t > 11.55 the proportion is less than 0.25% and since we have
To use ordinary beam theory we should first find a simple way to calculate the assumed that the faces are thin the first term can for the present be ignored.
flexural rigidity, here denoted D, of the beam. In an ordinary beam D would be
the product of the modulus of elasticity, (E) and the second moment of area (I). The third term amounts to less than 1% of the second (and may consequently
In a sandwich beam D is the sum of the flexural rigidities of the different parts, be ignored) when:
measured about the centroidal axis of the entire section: Ef td 2
> 16.7 (2.4)
bt3 btd2 bc3 Ec c3
D = Ef + Ef + Ec (2.2)
6 2 12
In many practical sandwich beams this condition is fulfilled but, considering the
many combination possibilities of Divinycell, this term must be checked. The
Ef and Ec are the moduli of elasticity of the faces (index f) and the core (index c)
error may be too big to be acceptable. With condition (2.3) the expression for
respectively. Dimensions according to fig. 2.1.
the flexural rigidity is:
Fig. 2.2. Dimensions of sandwich beam. Section AA on right.
btd 2 bc 3
D = Ef + Ec (2.5)
2 12
W
If condition (2.4) is fulfilled this expression will be reduced to:
b
A
t btd 2
D = Ef (2.6)
x 2
d/ h/
c/ 2 2
2
C C STRESSES
y c/
z 2 d/
2 h/ The stresses in a sandwich beam may also be determined by the use of theory
L/ L/ 2
2 2 for engineering stresses in beams, with a few modifications. Due to assumptions
z A (sections remain plane and perpendicular to the centroidal axis) the strain at a
t
point the distance z below the centroidal axis cc is Mz/D.
The first term in equation (2.2) is local flexural rigidity of the faces about their
own centroidal axes. The second term is the first term transposed for bending To obtain the bending stress at the same point the strain may be multiplied with
about the centroidal axis of the entire cross section. The third term is flexural the appropriate modulus of elasticity. For instance, the stresses in the faces and
rigidity of the core about its own centroidal axis, which is the same as for the core are respectively:
entire cross section.

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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

For a sandwich beam, equation (2.8) must be modified to take into account the
Mz c h h c
f = Ef z ; z (2.7a) moduli of elasticity of the different elements of the cross section:
D 2 2 2 2
(SE )
Q
= (2.9)
Mz c c Db
c = Ec z (2.7b)
D 2 2 In this expression D is the flexural rigidity of the entire section and (SE)
The maximum stresses are obtained with the maximum value of z within the represents the sum of the products of S and E of all parts of the section for
interval. The ratio of the maximum membrane stress in the faces and the maxi- which z < z1. For example, if equation (2.9) is used to determine the shear
mum core stress is (Ef /Ec ) . (h/c). stress at a level z in the core of the sandwich in fig. 2.1,
btd E b c c
The assumptions of the theory of bending lead to the common expression for = (SE) = E f + c z + z
2 2 2 2
the shear stress () in a homogeneous beam at depth z, below the centroid of
the cross section: The shear stress in the core is therefore

=
QS Q td E c c 2
2
Ib
(2.8) = E + z
D f 2 2 4 (2.10)
Here Q is the shear force at the section under consideration, I is the second
moment of area of the entire section about the centroid, b is the width at level z1 An analogous expression may be obtained for the shear stress in the faces, and
and S is the first moment of area of the part of the section for which z > z1. The the complete shear stress distribution across the depth of the sandwich is
familiar distribution of such shear stress in an -beam is illustrated in Fig 2.3. illustrated in fig. 2.4a.The maximum shear stress in the core is obtained by
inserting z = 0 in (2.10).

Q E 2
= E td + c c
D f 2 2 4 (2.11)

The ratio of the maximum core shear stress (at z = 0) to the minimum core
shear stress (at z = c/2) is
2
1 + E c t c
E f 4 td
z1

b

z> z1 The second term amounts to less than 1% of the expression provided
Ef t d
4 > 100 (2.12)
Ec c c
Fig. 2.3. Shear stress distribution in an -beam.

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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

If condition (2.12) is satisfied, the shear stress can be assumed constant over
the thickness of the core. Because d c, conditions (2.4) and (2.12) are similar
in effect.Therefore it may be concluded that where a core is too weak to provide
a significant contribution to the flexural rigidity of the sandwich, the shear stress
may be assumed constant over the depth of the core. For a weak core, it is
therefore permissible to write Ec = 0 in equations (2.2) and (2.8); the constant
shear stress in the core is then given by:
Q E f td
= (2.13)
D 2
The way the shear stresses are distributed across the section is illustrated in fig.
2.4.b.
If, in addition, the flexural rigidities of the faces about their own separate axes is
small (i.e. if condition (2.3) is fulfilled), then the first term on the right-hand side of
equation (2.2) may be ignored as well as the third, leaving:
btd 2
D = Ef (2.14)
2
In this case equation (2.10) for the shear stress in the core is reduced to the
simplest possible form:
Q
= (2.15)
bd
The corresponding shear stress distribution is illustrated in fig. 2.3c. The difference
between fig. 2.3b and 2.3c is that in the latter the principle stress in each face is
assumed to be uniform (because the local bending stress is ignored). It follows
from this that the shear stress in the faces varies with depth in a linear fashion,
not a parabolic one.

t It is often convenient to invoke the concept of an antiplane core (x = y = xy =

0). An antiplane core is an idealised core in which the modulus of elasticity in
planes parallel with the faces in zero but the shear modulus in planes
perpendicular to the faces is finite. By this definition Ec = 0 and the antiplane
c = = core makes no contribution to the flexural rigidity of the beam. Conditions (2.4)
d
Q Ej td Q and (2.9) are automatically satisfied and the shear distribution is similar to that
D 2 bd shown in fig. 2.3b.

DEFLECTIONS
t
a) b) c)
a/ Symmetrical loads
The loads considered here are symmetrical, i.e. the load is symmetrical with
respect to the geometry of the beam and/or a relative horizontal displacement of
Fig. 2.4. Shear stress distribution in a sandwich beam.
the faces is prevented somewhere (for example at a clamped end).
(a) True shear stress distribution.
(b) Effect of weak core (conditions (2.4) and (2.12) satisfied). In this case the flexural rigidity of the sandwich and the shear stress in the core
(c) Effect of weak core, ignoring the local flexural rigidity of the faces (conditions are defined by equations (2.14) and (2.15). The shear stress distribution appears
(2.3), (2.4) and (2.12) satisfied).
in fig. 2.4c.

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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

In the first instance the transverse displacements (w1) of the beam may be
calculated by the theory of bending, using the relationship (2.1). For example,
fig. 2.5b shows the bending deformation of a simply supported beam with a . d . e

central point load W. The points a,b,c, ... lie on the centrelines of the faces and .
c

w2'
. f

the cross sections aa, bb, cc, ... rotate but nevertheless remain perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the deflected beam. It is obvious that the upper face is c d

compressed as the points a, b, c, ... move closer together, while the lower face
is loaded in tension.
. b

The shear stress in the core at any section is = Q/bd (equation (2.15b) ). This .
a

is associated with a shear strain = Q/Gbd which like , is constant through the
depth of the core; G is the shear modulus of the core material. These shear
strains lead to a new kind of deformation illustrated in fig. 2.5c.
Fig. 2.6. Shear deformation of a beam.
a) b) W

a b c d e
a e
Hence
b d
x w
1 dw 2 c Q c Q c
a b c d e = = = (2.16a)
a b c d e dx d Gbd d AG d
L

z Since the faces are assumed to be thin, c is about the same as d which means
that w2' = and
Q Q
w 2 =
c) W d) W
w2' = (2.16b)
a b d
w'
2 AG V
w
2
The product V is often referred to as the shear stiffness of the sandwich. (The
a b c d e
product also contains a factor called but because of its rectangular shape, in
this case it is 1.) The displacement w2, associated with shear deformation on the
core, may be obtained by integration of equation (2.16a) in any particular pro-
Fig. 2.5. Deflection of sandwich beam. blem.
On the centrelines of the faces lie the points a, b, c, ... . They are not moved
For example, in the simply supported beam with a central point load W, the
horizontally but in a vertical direction w2 due to shear strain. The faces and the
transverse force Q in the left-hand half of the beam is + W/2. Integration of
longitudinal centreline of the beam tilt, and the relationship between the slope
equation (2.16a) with Q = + W/2 provides the displacement:
of the beam, dw2 /dx, and the core shear strain may be obtained from fig. 2.6.
In this figure, which shows a deformation of a short length of the sandwich, the W
w2 = x + constant 0 x L/2
distance d e is equal to d(dw2 /dx). It is also equal to c f, which in turn is equal to 2V
c.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

The constant vanishes because w2 = 0 at x = 0. The maximum value of w2 occurs For other cases an elementary table of load cases can be used. Insert the
at the centre of the beam, x = L/2, and is equal to: appropriate value for Q in (2.16a) and use boundary conditions to integrate the
WL whole expression.
2 =
4V b/ Unsymmetrical load
In the previous section it was assumed that during shear deformation all points
The total central deflection is therefore the ordinary bending displacement 1 on the centrelines of the faces moved only in the vertical direction, as in fig. 2.5c.
with the displacement 2 superimposed: In general, it is possible for one face as a whole to move horizontally with respect
to the other.
WL3 WL
= 1 + 2 = +
48D 4V

In general the displacement of any symetrically loaded sandwich beam with an .

d'

. d
antiplane core and thin faces may be found by similarly superimposing the ben-
ding and shear deflections w1 and w2. The bending deflections are found in the
c'
e'
. e

usual way and the shear deflections by integrating equation (2.16a).It may be
c
f' . f
convenient to integrate equation (2.16b) in general terms with the following result:
w2'
0
M
w 2 = + constant (2.17)
V
For a simply supported beam with the origin at one support the constant is always
. b
zero. Consequently the shear displacement diagram is the same as the bending
moment diagram, with a factor 1/V applied to it. . a
c
d

For example, a simply supported beam of span L with a uniformly distributed

Effect of 0 on shear deformation.
load q has a central bending deflection 1 equal to + 5qL4/384 D. The bending Fig. 2.7.

moment at the centre is + qL2/8 and the central shear deflection 2 is therefore + The effect is illustrated in fig. 2.7, which is similar to fig. 2.6 in showing the axis
qL2/8V. The total deflection at the centre is given by: of the beam at an angle w2' to the horizontal as a result of pure shear deforma-
5qL4 qL2 tion of the core. However, the upper face has also been displaced to the left, so
= 1 + 2 = + (2.18) that the points cdef in figs. 2.6 and 2.7 now appear in new positions at cd e f.
384 D 8V
The angle cbc is denoted by 0 and the following relationships exist:
In the same way expressions for total deflections are obtained for other cases. cf = c f c c = ( 0 ) c = de = w2 d
At the end of this chapter a few of the most usual load cases are presented. The
Hence
maximum values of bending moment and shear forces are presented and may
w 2 = ( 0 )
be used to give the stresses in the core and in the faces. c
d (2.19a)

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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

BUCKLING OF SANDWICH STRUTS

w2 =
Q c
Or 0 (2.19b) Standard analysis of uniform beams and struts has shown that instability appears
AG d when the axial load p reaches the value of the Euler load PE. The Euler load is
M c here presented in four different cases, the elementary Euler cases.
Or w 2 = 0 x + constant (2.19c)
AG d
P P P P

Equations (2.16a) and (2.17) are merely special cases of (2.19b) and 2.19c).

Consider, for example, a simply-supported beam with a moment M0 applied at

one end (fig. 2.8). The bending moment at x is M0x/L, which value may be
inserted in equation (2.19c):
M0 x c
w2 = x + constant
AGL 0 d

=2 =1 = 0,699 = 0,5
M0

PE =
2D
M0
L
M0
L
(L)2 Fig. 2.9. The Euler load for different cases

x The Euler load represents the smallest value for an axial load P at which the
strut will not return to straight condition after being displaced in lateral direction.
Fig. 2.8.
In the case of a sandwich strut the occurring shear deformations reduce the
The boundary condition w2 = 0 at x = 0, L shows that the constant vanishes and stiffness of the strut and the buckling load will be smaller than the corresponding
0 is equal to M0d/AGLc. Substitution for 0 in equation (2.19c) shows that the Euler load.
transverse shear displacement w2 is zero everywhere. However, all the sections
through the core have rotated through an angle 0 as in fig. 2.8. The shear strain A pin-ended sandwich strut will be considered here. The flexural rigidity is given
at all points in the core is given by equation (2.19a) as by equation (2.5). When the axial thrust P reaches a critical value Pcr, the dis-
placement consists of two superimposed displacements: w1 (bending displace-
d M0 d ment) and w2 (displacement associated with shear deformation of core). The
= w2 + 0 = = buckled strut is shown in fig. 2.10. At a section x the bending moment M is,
c 0 AGL c
referring to equation (2.1):
The rotation 0 is always zero when the beam is loaded in a symmetrical man-
ner, or when the relative horizontal displacement of the faces is prevented, for ( )
M = P w1 + w 2 = D1 w1

(2.20)
example at a clamped end.
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 OPEN BEAMS (FREE SIDES)

a)
By differentiating (2.23) and inserting in the right-hand term of (2.21) the total
x
deflection w1 + w2 will be obtained from

[ ]
P P
D1
c w1 c w1 + w 2 = c 1 2 sin x C 2 2 cosx
P
w2 C1sinx + C 2 cos x (2.24)
=+
1 + (P/V )
b)
M
P Boundary conditions provide that C2 = 0 and if (w1 + w2) = 0 for x = 0 and x = L.
P This yields:
L = n(PI) n = 1, 2, 3
(2.25)
w1 + w2
Equation (2.22b) now yields:
Fig. 2.10 Buckled strut with hinged ends. PE 2D1
P= where : PE = (2.26)
Fig. 2.10 shows that P has a component P(w1' + w2') acting perpendicular to the 1+ PE /V L2
axis of the strut. This represents the transverse force. Corresponding to equation
(2.16a) the shear force is related to w2 by: Where P represents the critical load P cr of the sandwich strut. The expression is
often given in this equal form:
P w 1 + w 2

w2 = (2.21) 1 1 1 (2.27)
V = +
Pcr PE V
The term w2' may be eliminated from equations (2.20) (differentiated once) and
(2.21) to yield a differential equation for w1. In which is easily seen (V = AG):
w 1 + 2
w 1 =0 (2.22a)
* when G is finite, Pcr is less than the Euler load
* when G is infinite, Pcr is equal to the Euler load
where * when G is small, Pcr approaches the value of AG.
P
________
2 = (2.22b)
D1 (1 - P/V) These formulas can be used for all cases in fig. (2.9) with the appropriate Euler
load inserted.
(2.22a) has a solution in the form:

(2.23)
w 1 = C 1sin x + C 2 cos x + C 3

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 BEAMS WITH FACES ON FOUR SIDES
BOXED BEAMS

STRESSES IN BEAMS WITH FACES ON ALL FOUR SIDES

FLEXURAL RIGIDITY The stresses will in this case be calculated in the same way as before. However,
To get a really strong sandwich beam a boxed section can be chosen. With first the bending moment distribution between faces and core must be found
faces on all four sides the shear stiffness will be higher and the shear deflection out. To evaluate an expression for the distribution of the bending moment a
will be smaller, though not negligible. short beam section can be studied.

b
R

1
e =
R
h
c d

Fig. 2.12.

The curvature is the same for the core and the face throughout the whole beam.
Fig. 2.11. Boxed beam Due to the theory of engineering stress in beams the curvature () is given by
the expression:
The expression for flexural rigidity in this case is: M
= (2.30)
(bh 3 ec 3 ) ec 3 D
D = Ef +E (2.28)
12 c 12
Hence
Mf = EfIf
This is the flexural rigidity for bending about the centroidal axis of the cross
section. Terms are the flexural rigidity of the box and the core respectively. If the
Mc = EcIc
second term amounts to less than 1% of the first it can be ignored. This means
if:
It is easy to see that Mc amounts to less than 1% of Mf when condition (2.29) is
E f bh 3 fullfilled. In practical cases the ratio will be even smaller, a fact that leads to the
1 > 100 assumption that the bending moment is taken up in the face material only.
E c ec
3 (2.29)

The normal stress in the core is then approximately zero and in the faces the
stresses are calculated by:
The second term is of no importance. Practically this is usually the case.
Mz
f = Ef (2.31)
D

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 BEAMS WITH FACES ON FOUR SIDES
BOXED BEAMS
The maximum values for f, i.e on the top and bottom, are obtained with maxi-
mum values for z.
1 1
t
The shear stresses depend on transverse forces. They are, in the same way as 2 2
the bending moment, taken up in both the core and the faces. A study of a thin
boxed beam section show that the ability for the core to take up shear forces can Tp Q
3 3
be ignored. y d
t
z
The shear deformation is the same for face and core, and is given by:
2 2
Qi
i = (2.32) b' 1 1
Vi

b d
where V contains a form factor (see 2.35) , related to each part of the beam. 1 = Q
4l y
For the core, is assumed to be 1 and for the faces it is given by:
b d
Af 2 = Q = 1
= (2.33) 4l y
A web
3 =
(2b + d)d Q
where Aweb is the cross-section area of the sides. This gives 8l y

Q f = Vf Fig 2.13 Shear stress distribution in a box

Q c = Vc DEFLECTIONS OF BEAMS WITH FACES ON ALL FOUR SIDES

Also in this kind of beam the deflection consists of two parts, bending deflection
where the total shear force is: and shear deflection. In some case the shear deflection can be neglected, but
Q = Q f + Qc the following example shows that this is not always the case.

which means that Qc amounts to less than 1% of Qf if
Vc 1 load on the mid point of the beam. Face material is FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic)
< (2.34)
Vf 100
The condition will in most practical cases be fulfilled and Qc can be ignored. Thus
we have expressions for the different shear stresses in the faces. (See fig. 2.13)
Example:
A simple supported beam with faces on four sides is loaded by a concentrated
and the core is of Divinycell H 60. The deflection is given by expression (2.18).
The first term is the bending deflection.
The flexural rigidity is given by (2.28) and with the length L = 1 m the bending
deflection BD amounts to 3.1.106.P.

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 BEAMS WITH FACES ON FOUR SIDES
BOXED BEAMS
The deflection caused by shear deformation is given by the second term. Here BUCKLING BEAMS WITH FACES ON ALL FOUR SIDES
the shear stiffness AG is denoted V. To calculate V we have to consider the In the case of sandwich struts with faces on all four sides (boxed struts) the
shear stiffness of both the core and the side faces. When this is done the shear calculations will be made in the same way as for ordinary sandwich struts. The
deflection SD amounts to 1.94.107.P. formulas (2.26) and (2.27) can be used, but with D calculating according to
(2.28) and the shear stiffness AG, here denoted V, according to (2.36). Since
The ratio SD/BD is 0.064, which means that the shear deflection is about 6% of the shear stiffness is highly increased compared with an open strut, the critical
the bending deflection and should not be ignored. load is higher, usually close to Euler load.

With a very long and slender beam the shear deflection can be ignored but in
other cases the shear deflection must be considered. The shear stiffness was
calculated:
Gc A c Gf A f
V = Vc + Vf = + (2.35)
c f

where is a factor mentioned earlier by (2.33). For the core c is assumed to be

1 but for the faces f is given by (2.33). Due to equation (2.34) the first term in
(2.35) can be ignored, leaving:
Gf A f
V = Vf = (2.36)
f

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BEAMS WITH ODD PROPERTIES

BEAMS CONSIDERED NARROW OR WIDE Then (which is assumed in the analysis in chapter Analysis method for sand-
A beam is considered narrow when the width b is less than the core dept c. wich beams) the flexural rigidity should be written as follows:
Then the lateral expansions and contractions of the faces in the y-direction, t1
associated with the membrane stress in the x-direction, may take place freely
without causing large shear strains in the core in the yz-plane. The stresses in a
the faces are therefore mainly in one direction, and the ratio of stress to strain is
equal to E. This has been assumed in the analysis of beams in this chapter. b dt 2
t1 + t 2
The same argument does not apply to the local bending stresses in the faces.
Each face is a thin plate in bending and the ratio of stress to strain is strictly E/ centroid
d
(12). However, these stresses and strains are of secondary importance and it
seems reasonable to adopt E throughout in order to avoid complications.

A beam is considered wide when the width b >> the core depth c. Then lateral
dt 1
expansions and contractions of the faces in the y-direction are restricted by the c
inability of the core to undergo indefinitely large shear deformations in the yz- t1 + t 2
plane. In this case it is more reasonable to assume that the strains in the y- d
direction are zero. The ratio of stress to strain in the x-direction is therefore E/ t2
(12) for both the membrane stresses and the local bending stresses. This
value should be used in place of E in all equations of this chapter when a beam Fig. 2.14. Dimensions of sandwich with faces of unequal thickness.
is considered wide. Note that if a wide beam can curve freely in the yz-plane, for
instance if it is permitted to lift off its support, then E should be used in preference
2
to E/(12). bd E 1E 2 t 1 t 2
D = (2.38)
E 1t1 + E 2 t 2
BEAMS WITH DISSIMILAR FACES
If the faces are not of the same material or of unequal thickness the results in It is useful to note that equation (2.15) for the core shear stress is unaltered. d
chapters Flexural Rigidity and Stresses have to be modified. The principal represents as usual the distance between the centroids of the upper and the
beam equations are unchanged provided that the flexural rigidity is written as lower faces.
follows:
BEAMS IN WHICH THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FLEXURAL RIGIDITY

( )
2 FROM THE CORE IS NOT SMALL
bd E 1E 2 t 1 t 2 b 3 3
D= + E 1t1 + E 2 t 2 (2.37) When Ec is not small, i.e. when condition (2.12) is not fulfilled, some modification
E 1t1 + E 2 t 2 12
must be made to use chapter Open beams (free sides). For example the
where the suffixes 1 and 2 refer to the upper and lower faces respectively. It is expression (2.2) must be used fully for flexural rigidity D. Since condition (2.12)
here assumed that condition (2.4) is fulfilled and the contribution from the core is not satisfied, the shear stress and the shear strain are not to be considered
to the flexural rigidity is negligible. If the local flexural rigidities for the faces are constant throughout the depth of the core. The means equation (2.10) is valid
negligible, i.e. if the condition (2.3) is fulfilled for each of the faces, the second but (2.13) is not.
term in (2.37) can also be ignored.
DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK
 BEAMS WITH ODD PROPERTIES

Now suppose that the core is replaced by a true antiplane (x = y = xy = 0)

A'
. . A core with a shear modulus G, different from Gx, but keep the former D. The
value of G is chosen so that the section ACB is deformed to the straight line
ACB. As the core is antiplane, Ec vanishes and the horizontal displacement
becomes:
. c centroid

Q E tdc
z
BB = f
.
G D (2.43)

p
u 4
Since G has been chosen so that equations (2.39) and (2.41) give the same
.
B
. B'
results for BB, the antiplane core (G) is exactly equivalent to the real core
permitting us to use the analyses in chapter Analysis method for sandwich
beams. These analyses deal only with the core-edge displacements AA, BB
Fig. 2.15. Shear deformation of sandwich with stiff core and do not depend on the shape of the distorted section ACB. Therefore the
equivalent antiplane core has a shear modulus as follows:
In fig. 2.15. a short length of a sandwich beam is shown undergoing shear defor-
mation of the core.The section ACB has distorted into the curve ACB. The
typical point p has moved a distance u to the right. At p the strain is = du/dz G =
G
which gives the stress : Ec c
2
1+ (2.44)
du 6E t (c + t )
=G (2.39) f
dz
Equation (2.10) and (2.39) may be combined and integrated to yield and
The procedure is now to use the analysis in chapter Analysis method for sand-
expression for u.
wich beams, except that:
Q E f tdz E c 2
c z z
3

u= + * D should be written as in equation (2.2)
GD 2 4 (2.40)

2 3
* G is replaced with G.

For example the displacements AA and BB are obtained by writing z = c/2. This procedure yields the correct deflections and stresses in the faces. To
obtain the shear stress in the core equation (2.10) ((or (2.40)) should be used.
E c3
Q Ef
B B = tdc + c

GD 4 24 (2.41)

The maximum shear stress is obtained by writing z = 0 in equation (2.10).

Q E f td E c c
2
max = +
D 2 8 (2.42)

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK
 CALCULATIONS

ANALYSIS METHOD FOR SANDWICH BEAMS

1 Check out in chapter Beams considered narrow or wide if the beam 5 Shear stiffness Open beam: use (2.16)
is to be considered wide or narrow. In the following calculations the Boxed beam: use (2.35)
valid stress to strain ratio must be used.
6 Stresses a. Look in the elementary table for the moment and
2 If the faces are of unequal thickness the flexural rigidity is to be written the transverse force.
as in equation (2.37).
b. Open beam: f from (2.7a)
3 Open beam Check if condition (2.12) is fulfilled for the core to c from (2.7b)
be considered weak, and if not,goto chapter Beams c from (2.10)
in which the contribution to the flexural rigidity from and check condition(2.12)
the core is not small for proper adjustments. for ignoring the second term.

Boxed beam In most cases Gf >> Gc and the shear stresses are Boxed beam: f from (2.31)
taken up in the faces and are notconstant through- f from Fig. 2.14
out the beam.
7 Deflections Open beams: see elementary table or use
4 Flexural rigidity (2.16b) and (2.17)
Open beam:
use (2.2) and check condition (2.3) and (2.4) for Boxed beams: use elementary table or (2.16)
ignoring terms. and (2.17) with current rigidities
according to point 4 and 5 above.
Boxed beam:
use (2.28) and check condition (2.29) for
ignoring the second term.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 SANDWICH PANELS

ASSUMPTIONS SIGN CONVENTIONS

The faces are assumed to be thin and of equal thickness. The sign convention that will be used for plates is shown in fig. 3.2:

x
a
y
x q
0 z
b dx = 1
dy = 1

Nx M x M xy
Qz
My

t N yx N xy Qy
c/
2
Ny
c/ M yx
2

y t
Fig. 3.2. Sign conventions for plates

z
Fig. 3.1. Dimensions of sandwich panel with equal faces
The figure shows positive directions of bending and torsion moment (Mx, My,
Because the faces are thin compared to the core it is assumed that c d and Mxy, Myx), shear forces (Qx, Qy) and membrane forces (Nx, Ny, Nxy, Nyx).
that the local flexural rigidity of the faces is negligible. This means that the nor-
mal stress is constant throughout the faces. It is assumed that there are no
stresses worth considering in the z-direction. The faces and the core are isotropic.
The faces are assumed to be rigid in shear in yz- and zx-planes.

For the flexural rigidity of the panel, the core is assumed to be considerably less
stiff than the faces. Consequently Ec ~ 0 in the xy-plane which leads to the fact
that they do not contribute to the flexural rigidity. The core shear stresses are
assumed to be constant throughout the depth of the core.

Further, the deflections are assumed to be small. Accordingly, ordinary bending

theory is valid and there is no strain in the middle plane of the panel form
transverse displacements, i.e.
y = y = x = x = 0 for z = 0.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS

BENDING AND BUCKLING OF SANDWICH PANELS SUPPORTED ON TWO

SIDES x

For sandwich panels supported on two opposite sides the theory and the formu- z
las are the same as for open sandwich beams provided the load is a uniform w
x
pressure. However, it must be noted that the panel is considered as a wide
beam due to chapter Beams considered narrow or wide. Therefore, in the a

analysis E should be replaced by E/(12). Assumptions are made similarly.

The conditions used in chapter Open beams (free sides) for ignoring terms
when calculating flexural rigidity are the same.

From this it follows that in case of a sandwich panel supported on only two sides A
d = c
2 2
the reader is recommended to use chapter Open beams (free sides) and the
theory for open beams with E replaced by E/(12). z

BENDING AND BUCKLING OF PANELS SUPPORTED ON FOUR SIDES

For obtaining useful formulas, energy methods are applied to sandwich panels E
.. .
F D

w
x
d
= c
supported on all four edges. 2 2

zx

The method aims to find expressions for the total potential energy in the material
as a function of assumed displacements. The energy consists of two main parts:
the strain energy U because of strain in core and faces of the deformed mate-
rial, and the potential energy H because of movement of loads when deforming
the panel. Fig. 3.3. Section through deflected sandwich panel in zx-plane

The method is also based on the fact that the total energy (U + H) will have a w
minimum value when the deflected plate is in equilibrium. Accordingly the total zx = (1 ) (3.1)
x
energy (U + H) will be minimized with respect to deflection due to bending and
shear to find the critical load, stresses and deflections. In fig. 3.3 a part of a
Since deformations are assumed to be small the displacement of F in the x-
deflected panel is shown.
direction is:
The centre line AG and the normal AE have both rotated an angle w/x. Because w
u = z 3.2)
of shear deformation the line AF has rotated a smaller angle w/x, where x
may take any value between + 1 and 0. From this is obtained the shear strain in
the section (the angle EAF). = 1 means that the panel is rigid in shear and =
0 that there is no shear stiffness in the panel.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
In the same way where g = 12.
w
yz = (1 ) (3.3) This expression is to be used for core and faces respectively.
y
STRAIN ENERGY OF CORE, UC
w
v = z (3.4) According to the assumptions, the strain energy from terms containing ex, ey
y and xy will be zero. This leaves only shear strains zx and yz from (3.1) and (3.3)
to be inserted in (3.8).
Where is the term corresponding to and v is the displacement in y-direction.
Gc w
2
w
2
(1 )2
The strains in x- and y-direction are given by the displacements: Uc =
2
v



y
+ (1 ) 2
x
dV =


u 2w
ex = = z (3.5) a b 2 2
x x 2 Gc d w w
(1 )2
=
2

y
+ (1 ) 2
x
dy dx

(3.9)
v 2w 0 0
ey = = z 2 (3.6)
y y

where dV = dx dy dz.
The shear strain in the xy-plane is:
u v 2w STRAIN ENERGY OF FACES, Uf
xy = + = - z ( + ) (3.7) According to assumptions yz and zx are zero. This leaves terms ex, ey and xy to
y x xy
be inserted in (3.8) For the lower face z is + d/2 and the strain energy here is:
It must be added that and are treated as being independent of x and y during
differentiation. 2
2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
E d 2 w + d 2 w + 2 d w w d V +
STRAIN ENERGY
Ulower =
2g 4 x 2
4 x 2
4 x
2 y 2
The strain energy of an isotropic solid is given by integrating the strain energy
v
2
over the volume: Gf d2 2w

E
+
2
v
4
( + ) 2
xy

dV

2 2
U= (e x + ey + 2 e x e y ) dV +
2g (3.10)
v
G
(
2 2 2
xy + yz + zx ) dV (3.8)
2
v

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
The total strain energy of both faces, Uf, is obtained by integrating over the thickness ds in fig. 3.4 can be written:
t and doubling. It is also convenient to write G = E/{2(1+)}. 2
ds = dx 2 + dw 2 = dx 1+ (dw/dx )
2 2 2w
2
2 2
2 w + 2 + 2 f w w +
a b x 2 y 2 and then developed in a series. Serial development yields:
Ed 2 t x 2 y 2
Uf =
4g
1 2w
2
dy dx
1 dw 2


0 0
+ f
( + )2 dx 1+ ( dw/dx) 2 = dx 1+ + ....
2 xy
2 dx



For a beam element with the length ds the ends approach each other by an
amount ds dx. The equation above gives:
(3.11)
POTENTIAL ENERGY OF APPLIED LOADS 2
When a beam of length L is given a transverse deformation w, the ends of the 1 dw
ds dx = dx
beam approach each other by an amount . 2 dx
The total approach will be obtained by integrating over the length of the beam.
2
1 L dw
= dx
2 0 dx
P P
Consider now a narrow strip of the plate in fig. (3.1) parallel with the x-axis and
of width dy. In the same way the ends of this strip approach each other as the
plate bends by an amount:
2
ds - dx 1 a w
dx dx
2 0 x

If a compressive force Nx is applied at the edge (x = 0 and x = a) in the plane of

the plate, then the force on the strip Nxdy and the change in potential energy as
dw the plate bends is:
2
ds N dy a w
x dx
2 0 dx

Fig. 3.4. Deformed beam and deformed element with length ds

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
The total decrease in potential energy for the force Nx, is obtained by integrating When the series is squared the integrals of the cross-product terms vanish because
from y = 0 to y = b. of the ortogonal properties of the chosen functions for w. Only the squared terms
2
are left.
a b
N w
V1 = x dx dy
x Gd
a b

n 2
sin 2 m x cos 2 ny dy dx
(1 )
2 Uc 1 =
2
a mn
0 0
2
0

0 m =1 n =1 b a b

If the plate also supports a uniform transverse pressure q in the z-direction, the (3.15)
decrease in potential energy V2 for the load is:
a b The series may be integrated term by term. The following integral is equal to ab/
4 for all values of m and n.
V2 = wg dy dx
a b
0 0
m x n y ab
sin
2
The displacement w for a simply-supported rectangular plate may be expressed cos 2 dy dx = (3.16)
a b 4
by sums of trigonometric functions: 0 0

m x ny
W= a
m =1 n =1
mn sin
a
sin
b
(3.12)
Hence
2

Gd n 2 2 ab
Where amn is the amplitude of the (m, n)th mode of deformation. This expression
Uc 1 =
2
m =1
(1 mn )
n =1
2
a mn
b 2

4
(3.17)

satisfies the boundary conditions of a simply-supported plate.

All the energy terms are to be treated in the same way. In this process it is useful
The total energy of the system, (U + V), is obtained by adding the expressions to have knowledge about the following relationships, derived from equation (5.12).
for U and V respectively and substituting w by the series (3.12). Consider for
a b 2
example the first term of Uc. 2w m 4 4 ab
a b
dy dx =
x 2 a 2
mn
a4

4
w
2
Gd a
Uc 1 = (1 ) dy dx (3.13)
0 0
2
0

0
x 2
a b
2w n 4 4 ab
Substituting w according to (3.12) gives:


dy dx =
y 2

a mn
a4

4
0 0

a b 2
Gd
n m x ny a b
2w 2w m 2 n 2 2 ab
(1 )mn a mn
2
Uc 1 =
2
0

m =1
0 n =1
b
sin
a
cos dy dx
b
0 0



x 2


2

y dy dx =

a
mn a 2b 2

4
(3.14)

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS

2
Evidently (U + V) is a function of amn, and . If the plate is to be in equilibrium, (U
a b
2w m 2n 2 2 ab + V) has to be stationary with respect to each of these variables. From this it
a
2

0 0

xy

dy dx =


mn
a 2b 2

4 follows that for each mode the following conditions must be fulfilled.

2

(U + V ) = (U + V ) = (U + V ) =0
a b
w n 2 2 ab
a
2

0 0
dy dx =
y mn b2

4 a mn (3.19)

These equations can be used to determine the values of amn, and . Since the
a b
4a mn ab (m, n)tn value of amn, and only appears in the (m, n)th mode, (U + V) in
w dy dx =
0 0

2 mn
(m, n both odd) equation (3.19) could be replaced by (U +V)mn only.
=0 (otherwise) It is easier to see the connections and follow the line of equations if the total
energy is written in the form:
By substituting these values in the former expressions for Uc, Uf, V1 and V2 the
following expressions are obtained for the energy terms.
(U + V) mn = B xx 2 + B yy 2 + 2B xy + 2B x + 2B y + B 0 (3.20)
m2 n2 2
(Uc )mn = GA 1 (1 )2 2 + (1 )2 2 a mn
(3.18a) Where:
a b
m2 m 4 1 m 2 n 2 2
B xx = GA 1 2 + EA 2 4 + a mn
(3.21a)
4 4 2 2
1 2 2 2 a 2b 2
(U f )mn = EA 2 2 m4 + 2
n
+ 2
m n
+ ( )2 m2 n2 a 2mn a a
a b4 a 2b 2 2 a b
(3.18b)
n2 n 4 1 m 2 n 2 2
N ab m 2 B = GA 1 2 + EA 2 4 + a mn
(V1 )mn = x 2 a mn
2
2 (3.18c) b b 2 a 2 b 2 (3.21b)
2 4 a

a mn ab
(V2 ) = 4q 2
(3.18d)
mn
2 2
Where: 1+ m n 2
B xy = EA 2 2 2 a mn (3.21c)
2
2 a b
d 2 td
A1 = ab and A2 = 4 ab
8 16g m2 2 n2 2
B x = GA1 amn By = GA1 amn (3.21d, e)
For simplicity, only the (m, n)th mode is shown above and there are no suffixes on a2 b2
and . There are different values for each mode m, n.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS

m2 n2 2
B 0 = GA 1 2 + 2 a mn + (V1 + V2 )mn (3.21f) 2 E td
= (3.25c)
a b 2g G b 2

Equation (3.19) then gives: The variables , and are non-dimensional. and take different values for
different modes. is constant and represents the ratio of the flexural rigidity Etd2/

(U + V ) = 1 (U + V ) = B xx + B xy + B x = 0
1 2g and the shear stiffness Gd.
(3.22a)
2 2
When the expression for is inserted in (3.24) an expression for (U + V) as

(U + V ) = 1 (U + V ) = Byy + B xy + B y = 0
1 function of amn is given.
(3.22b)
2 2
Gd 2 2 a 2 N ab m 2 a ab
If equations 3.22 are multiplied by and respectively and then added, then:
(U +V) mn = a mn x 2 a mn
2
4q mn
8 b 1+ 2 4 a2 2 mn

B xx 2 + B yy 2 + 2B xy + B x + B y = 0 ( 3.23)
(3.26)
For equilibrium (3.26) must be stationary with respect to amn.
(3.23) inserted in (3.20) leaves only:
Gd 2 a 2 ab m 2
(U + V) mn = N x 2 a mn 4q ab = 0
(U + V)mn = B x + B y + B 0 a mn
(3.24) 4 b 1+ 4 a2 2 mn
(3.27)
By solving (3.22) and (3.22b) it is possible to show that in this particular problem
EDGE LOAD, Nx
the solution of equations (3.22) is such that = .
Suppose that the transverse pressure q is zero. The critical load is then the
value of Nx which causes the panel to buckle.
Substitution for by in equation (3.22) gives the following result for :
Bx 1 If the panel buckles in the (m, n)th mode amn is non-zero. Equation (3.27) is then
= = + (3.25a)
Bx x + Bx y 1 + satisfied only when:
2
where Gd a 2
Nx = = Pxmn (3.28)
2 2 m 2 b 1 +
m b
= + n2 (3.25b)
Pxmn is defined as the critical edge load per length unit which causes buckling in
a2
the (m, n)th mode. For any given m the lowest critical load is obtained for n = 1.
Equation (3.28) can then be written as follows:

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
5

2 D2
Pxmn = K1 (3.29)
b2
4

where:

K1 =
[(mb/a ) + (a/mb )]2
3

1 + (mb/a ) 2 + 1 (3.30)

2

And D2 is the flexural rigidity of the sandwich: 1

E td 2
f Eftd 2
D2 = =
2g 2 1 2 (3.31)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
a/b

Notice the factor g = (12) in the expression for the flexural rigidity of the plate. Fig. 3.5a. Buckling coefficient K1 plotted against a/b for m = 1..4 and = 0.
Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.
It originates from the conditions for a beam to be considered narrow or wide in
Beams with odd properties (see chapter Beams considered narrow or wide 5

and is always to be in the expressions in this chapter because panels are naturally
considered wide.
4

It is observed that if shear rigidity is infinite, vanishes and equation (5.30) is

identical with the result for buckling of a plate not subjected to shear deformations.
3

Fig. 3.5 shows the value of K1 plotted against a/b for m = 1,...,4 and four different
values of (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4). Since only the lowest value of K1 is of interest,
only the lower envelopes of K1 for m = 1,...,4 are to be used. Since the figure 2

only shows four curves (m = 1,...4) it should be noticed that when a/b >> 1 the
lower envelope of the curves get close to a straight horizontal line. The diagrams
are valid for 0 < a/b < ~ 3.5 and for higher values the lowest value in the diagram 1

can be used.

The procedure is to read K1 from fig. 3.5 and then insert the value in equation 0

(3.29) to determine the buckling load. If a value of is obtained that it does not 0 1 2
a/b
3 4 5

fit with the diagrams in fig. 3.5, the value for K1 has to be calculated with (3.30). Fig. 3.5b. Buckling coefficient K1 plotted against a/b for m = 1..4 and = 0.1.
Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
5
UNIFORM PRESSURE, g
Now suppose that the edge load Nx is zero and that the load is q, a uniform
4
pressure.

Substitution of from equation (3.25c) provides an expression for the amplitude

3
of the (m, n) th mode.
16qb 4 1 +
a mn =
6 mnD 2 if m, n are both odd
2 2
(3.32)
=0 , otherwise.
1

In this case too, an infinite shear rigidity in the core causes to vanish and then
equation (3.32) corresponds to the standard result for bending of a plate not
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 subjected to shear deformation.
a/b

Fig. 3.5c. Buckling coefficient K1 plotted against a/b for m = 1..4 and = 0.2. Equation (3.32) may also be written in the form:
Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.
5 16qb 4 16qb 2
a mn = , if m, n are both odd (3.33)
6 mnD 2 2 4 mnGd

4 =0 , otherwise

The terms on the right side represent bending and shear deformations respec-
3 tively. The ratio of the shear deformation to the bending deformation is

1 2 D2
, or , or
2
b 2 Gd
To obtain the deflection w the value amn must be inserted in equation (3.12). The
1 maximum deflection wmax is at the centre of the panel, x = a/2, y = b/2, and is
obtained by summation:

m 1 n 1
16qb 4 ( 1) 2 ( 1) 2 1 +
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
W max =
a/b
mn (3.34)
Fig. 3.5d. Buckling coefficient K1 plotted against a/b for m = 1..4 and = 0.4. 6 D2 2
Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
For practical use this expression may be written: The stresses in the faces and the core may also be obtained from (3.32). For
example the normal stresses in the face (in x-direction) are equal to (E/g).(ex+ey).
qb 4
w max = ( + 2 ) (3.35)
The strains ex and ey are defined in (3.5) and (3.6). By inserting z = d/2 the
D2 1 stresses in the x- and y-direction are
where: Ed 2w 2 w
x = + f
x 2 (3.36a)
m1 n1 2g y 2
1 =
16

( 1) 2
( 1) 2
, m, n odd
6 Ed 2w 2 w
mn 2 y = + f
y 2 (3.36b)
2g x 2
m1 n1
2
2 =
16

( 1) ( 1) 2
, m, n odd The shear stress xy in the faces is equal to[E/(2(1+))] gxy where the strain xy is
6 mn
given by (3.7). For z = d/2 the shear stress is:

Ed 2 w
1 and 2 can be read from fig. 3.6 for panels with various a/b ratios. xy = (3.37)
2(1+ ) xy
.10-2
1.4
The shear stress zx in the core is equal to Gzx. When the strain zx is given by
(3.1).
1.2
w
2
zx = G(1 ) (3.38a)
1.0
x
and similarly
w
yz = G(1 )
0.8
1 (3.38b)
x
0.6 Usually the maximum stresses are of interest. For practical use it is convenient
to write the expressions in the same way as equation (3.35).
0.4
It can be shown that the normal stresses in the faces are maximum at the centre
of the panel (x = a/2, y = b/2). The shear stress in the faces is the highest at a
0.2
corner (x = 0, y = 0), the core shear stress zx is highest in the middle of the sides
of length b (x = 0, y = b/2) and the core shear stress yz is highest in the middle
0.0
of the sides of length a (x = a/2, y = 0). The results may be summarized in the
0 1 2 3 4 5
a/b following forms:
Fig. 3.6. Coefficients 1 and 2. Simply supported isotropic sandwich
with thin faces.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
Fig. 3.7 shows 3 7 plotted against a/b. All the stresses are independent of
qb 2
= ( 3 + f 4 ) (3.39a) shear stiffness of the core and it is possible to show that the results in equation
x dt (3.39) and (3.40) are the same as when the core shear deformation is ignored.

qb 2
y = ( 4 + f 3 ) (3.39b) Results for a simply-supported rectangular panel can therefore also be used to
dt calculate the stresses in a sandwich panel.

qb 2
xy = (1 f ) 5 (3.39c)
dt
1.4

qb
zx = (3.39d)
d 6 1.2
4
qb
yz = (3.39e)
d 7 1.0

where 0.8
m1 n1 5

3 =
16 ( 1) 2
( 1) 2

m b

2
(3.40a) 0.6
4 2 n a2

0.4
m 1 n 1
2
4 =
16 ( 1) ( 1) 2

n (3.40b)
4 2 m 0.2
6

16 b
5 = (3.40c) 0.0
4
a 2 0 1 2 3 4 5
a/b
n-1

6 =
16

(- 1) 2

b
(3.40d)
Fig. 3.7a. Constants 3 5. Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.
3 n a

m-1

7 =
16

(- 1) 2
(3.40e)
3 m

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BENDING AND BUCKLING OF
SANDWICH PANELS
0.5

7
EDGE LOAD AND UNIFORM PRESSURE ACTING SIMULTANEOUSLY

0.4 When the uniform transverse pressure and the compressive edge load per
unit length act simultaneously, the value of amn can again be obtained from
6
equation (3.27). The expression for amn is:
(amn ) 0
0.3

amn = (3.41)
1 P / Pxmn
0.2

where (amn)0 is the amplitude when P is zero, given by equation (3.32) and Pxmn
0.1
the critical load given by equation (3.29). Of course the expression is for the (m,
n)th critical load.

0.0
The practical effect of this load arrangement is to multiply each term in the series
0 1 2 3 4 5 for the -functions by a factor (1 P/Pxmn)1. Because Pxmn depends on the ratio
, stresses in the panel are no longer independent of the shear stiffness.
a/b

Fig. 3.7b. Constants 6 and 7. Simply supported isotropic sandwich with thin faces.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 PANELS WITH ODD PROPERTIES CALCULATIONS

PANELS WITH DISSIMILAR FACES ANALYSIS METHOD FOR PANELS SIMPLY SUPPORTED ON FOUR SIDES

When the panels have faces of unequal thickness, or are of different materials, 1: If the faces are of unequal thickness then modifications according to chapter
a few modifications have to be made. The buckling and bending equations (3.29) Panels with dissimilar faces have to be made.
and (3.35) are unchanged provided both faces have the same Poissons ratio f
and the following alterations are made: 2: Edge load, Nx. (buckling load)

The buckling load is given by (3.29) with flexural rigidity from (3.31), K1
E1E 2 t1t 2 d2
from fig. 3.5 as a function of a/b and from (3.25c).
D2 =
(1 ) (E t
2
f 1 1 + E2 t 2 ) (3.42)
3: Uniform pressure, q. (Deflection and stresses)

2 E1E 2 t1t 2c Maximum deflection wmax is given by (3.35) with flexural rigidity from (3.31),
=
(
b 2 1 2f )
G (E1t1 + E 2 t 2 ) (3.43) the constants 1 and 2 from fig. 3.6 as a function of a/b and r from (3.25c).

The stresses are given by (3.39a-e) with the constants 3 7 from fig.
3.7 as a function of a/b.

4: Edge load and uniform pressure acting simultaneously.

Instructions written in chapter Edge loading and uniform pressure acting

simultaneously.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

INTRODUCTION
In this section a few calculations are made to exemplify the use of the analysis 3: Condition (2.12) is checked:
methods presented in chapters Analysis method for sandwich beams and 61 10 9 2 10 3 52 10 3
"Analysis method for panels simply supported on four sides. The expressions 4
= 254 > 100
referred to are easy to find due to their numbering. 40 10 6 50 10 3 50 10 3
The condition is fulfilled Ec is considered small.
Example 1: Beam with concentrated load and simply supported ends
An open beam have the following measurements: 4: Flexural rigidity.
L = 0.5 m Conditions (2.3) and (2.4) are checked:
b = 0.05 m
52 10 3 condition (2.3) is fulfilled.
h = 0.054 m = 26 > 5.77
tf = 2 mm 2 10 3

The faces are of equal thickness and are made of aluminium 4054-7 with Ef =
61 GPa. The core is made of DIVINYCELL H 45 with the following properties: 61 10 9

(
2 10 -3 52 10 3 )
2
= 66.0 > 16.7
Ec = 45 MPa
Gc = 18 MPa
40 10 6 (50 10 ) 3 2 condition (2.4) if fulfilled.

The beam is simply supported at both ends and the load is a point load W = 25 This leaves from equation (2.2) only the expression (2.6) fo
kg at a = 0.25 . L = 0.125 m (see fig. 4.1). L a. the flexural rigidity D.

W D = 61 10 9 (
50 10 -3 2 10 -3 52 10 3 )2
= 8247.2 Nm 2
a L-a 2

5: Shear stiffness.

(2.16) V = bdG = 50 10 -3 52 10 3 15 10 6 = 39 10 3 N
Fig. 4.1.
Find out f, c and the deflection at L/2 = 0.25 m. Solution according to chapter 6: a/Elementary table gives:
Analysis method for sandwich beams.
Wa (L L/2) ) 245.25 0.125 (0.5 0.25 )
M (L/2) = = = 15.33 Nm
-b <_ c L 0.5
1: The beam is considered to be narrow.

2: The faces are of equal thickness.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

Example 2: Beam with uniform pressure and clamped ends

245.25 0.125
Q (L/2) = ( ) = ( )
Wa
= - 61.31N
L 0.5 The same beam as in example 1 is here loaded by a uniform load q = 1 kN/m
and the ends are clamped.
b/Stresses
f,max is obtained with z = h/2 Find out f, c and deflection at L/2 = 0.25 m.

( ) 61 10
Solution according to chapter "Analysis method for sandwich beams".
3
15.33 54 10 /2 9
(2.7a) : f = = 3.06 MPa
8247.2 1: b c The beam is considered to be narrow.

c is constant throughout the core as the condition (2.12) 2: The faces are of equal thickness.
is fulfilled.
3: Condition (2.12) is fulfilled (Ec is small). (see example 1)
(2.13) : c =
(- )61.31
61 10 9 2 10 3 52 10 3
= 23.58 kPa
8247.2 2 4: Flexural rigidity.
D = 8247.2 Nm2. (see example 1)
7: Deflection.
5: Shear stiffness.
Elementary table 1 gives:
V = 39.103 N (see example 1)
3 2
0.5
a/Elementary table gives: M (L/2 ) =
10
w 1 (L/2 ) =
Wa
48D
3L( 2
4a
2
)= 6:
24
= 10.42 Nm

Q(L/2) = 0
=
245.25 0.125
48 8247.2
(
3 0.5
2
4 0.125
2
) = 0.053 mm b/Stresses.
f, max from (2.7a) with z = h/2.
245.25 0.125
w (L/2 ) = Wa
= = 0.393 mm
10.24 (0.054/2 ) 61 10 9
3
2 2V 2 39 10
f = = 2.04 MPa
8247.2
Total deflection w
(2.13) gives c(L/2) = 0 as Q(L/2) = 0.
w = w 1 + w 2 = 0.45 mm

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

3
Load and support are the same as in example 1.
qL 10 0.5
At the ends Q = = = 250 N , which with
2 2 Find out f, max, c, max and the deflection at L/2 = 0.25 m.

(2.13) gives Solution according to chapter Flexural rigidity.

9
61 10 0.002 0.052
c (L = 0 ) =
250 1: b<c The beam is considered to be narrow.
= 96.15 kPa
8247.2 2
2: The faces are of equal thickness.
Conclusion: it is important to study the shear force.
3: Gf >> Gc.
7: Deflection.
Elementary table gives: 4: Flexural rigidity.
3 2 Condition (2.29) is checked:
0.5
w 1 (L/2 )= 10
= 0.020 mm
384 8247.2 12 10
9 0.05 0.054 3
1 = 111 > 100
40 10
6 0.046 0.05 3
3
0.5
2
w2 (L/2 ) = 10
3
= 0.801 mm
8 39 10 Which means that the expression (2.28) with the second term
ignored can be used for the flexural rigidity.
Total deflection w. 0.05 0.054 3
0.046 0.05
3
w = w1 + w 2 = 0.22 mm D = 12 10
9
= 2123.2 Nm 2
12

Example 3: Boxed beam with concentrated load and simply supported 5: Shear stiffness.
ends 4 0.05 0.002
A boxed beam has the following measurements: (2.33) gives: c = =2
L = 0.5 m 2 0.05 0.002
b = 0.05 m then (2.35) gives:
h = 0.054 m 6
Gc A c 15 10 0.046 0.050 3
e = 0.05 m Vc = = = 34.5 10 N
c = 0.046 m c 1
tf = 2 mm
0.002 ( 2 0.054 + 2 0.046 )
9
f = 4.8 10
GfA 3
The faces are of equal thickness and are made of FRP with the following Vf = = 960 10 N
f 2
properties:
Ef = 12 GPa
Gf = 4.8 GPa
DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK
 EXAMPLES

3 Example 4: Panel with uniform pressure and simply supported edges

Vc 34.5 10 1 A panel has the following dimensions:
(2.34): = = 0.035 >
3 a=b=3m h = 70 mm
V
f 960 10 100
t = 5 mm c = 60 mm
The condition is not fulfilled, which means that the whole of expression
(2.35) must be used. The faces are of equal thickness and are made of FRP with Ef = 12.0 GPa and
V = Vc + Vf = 994.5.103 f = 0.25. The core has the following properties: Ec = 200 MPa, Gc = 80 MPa and
c = 0.30. The panel is simply supported at all edges and the load is a uniform
6: Stresses pressure q = 10 kPa.
a/ M(L/2) = 15.33 Nm Q(L/2) = -61.31 N
b/ (2.31) gives with z = h/2 and I = Iy = D/Ef = 0.1769.106 Find out the maximum deflection and f. Solution according to chapter Analysis
method for panels simply supported on four sides.
15.33 0.054 / 2
= = 2.34 MPa
f 6 1: The faces are of equal thickness.
0.1769 10
max is given by fig. 2.13. 3: Flexural rigidity from (3.31).

=3 =
(2b + d) dQ = 12.0 10
9
0.005 0.065

( )
3 2
max 81y D2 = = 135.2 10 Nm
2
2 1 0.25
=
(2 0.048 + 0.052 ) 0.052 61.31 = 0.33 MPa
8 0.1769 10 6 2 12 109 0.005 0.065
= = 0.0285
7: Deflection from (3.25c) 2 1 0.25 2 80 10 6 3 2
Elementary table 1 gives:
1 and b2 are given in fig. 3.6 with a/b = 1
w1(L/2 ) =
Wa 2
3L 4a 2 = 1 = 0.42.102 2 = 0.73.102
48D
245.25 0.125
= 3 0.5 2 4 0.125 2 = 0.207 mm Then (3.35) gives
48 2123.2
( ) = 25.6
3 4
10 10 3 2 2
w max = 0.405 10 + 0.029 0.74 10 mm
245.25 0.125 3
w 2 (L/2 )= Wa 135.2 10
= = 0.015 mm
3
2V 2 994.5 10
f from (3.39a) with 3 and 4 from fig. 3.7.a.
Total deflection w: 3 = 0.0371 4 = 0.0385 which gives
w = w1 + w 2 = 0.22 mm 10 10
3
3
2
x = y (0.0371 + 0.25 0.0385 ) = 12.94 MPa
0.065 0.005

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

Example 5: Panel with edge load Nx and simply supported edges 2: The faces are of equal thickness.
The same panel as in example 4 but in this case the load is an edge load. Find
out the buckling load. 3: Condition (2.12) is checked.
Solution according to chapter Analysis method for panels simply supported on 61 10
9
0.002 0.052
four sides. 4 = 78.08 < 100
6
130 10 0.05 0.05
1: The faces are of equal thickness. The condition is not fulfilled. Chapter Beams in which the contribution to
the flexural rigidity from the core is not small ,means that G has to be
2: Flexural rigidity from (3.31) replaced with G according to (2.44).
D2 = 135.2.103 Nm2 (see example 4)
is given from (3.25c) 50 10 6
G = = 49.6 MPa
= 0.0285 (see example 4) 130 10 6 0.05 2
1+
6 61 109 0.002 (0.002 + 0.05 )
Then K1 is obtained from an interpolation between fig. 3.5a and 3.5b.
a/b = 1 K1 = 3.78 4. Chapter Beams in which the contribution to the flexural rigidity from the
core is not small means that the whole expression (2.2) should be used
The critical load is then given by (2.29): when calculating the flexural rigidity.
3 2
2 135.2 103 9 0.05 0.002 9 0.05 0.002 0.052
Pxmn = 3.78 = 560 kN/m D = 61 10 + 61 10 +
32 6 2
3
Example 6: Beam with concentrated load, simply supported ends and stiff 6 0.05 0.05 2
+ 130 10 = 8319.0 Nm
core 12
The same beam as in example 1 and with the same dimensions. The face ma-
terial is the same but the core is made of Divinycell H 130.
5: Shear stiffness according to (2.16).
L = 0.5 m Ef = 61 GPa Ec = 130 MPa
V = bgG = 0.05 . 0.052 . 49.6 . 106 = 129.0 . 103 N
b = 0.05 m Gc = 50 MPa
h = 0.054 m
6: Stresses
tf = 2 mm
a/ Elementary table gives:
The load is a concentrated load W = 25 kg (245.24N) at a = 0.25 L = 0.125 m.
M(L/2) = 15.33 Nm (see example 1)
Q(L/2) = 61.31 N (see example 1)
Find out f, c, c and deflection at L/2 = 0 .25 m.Solution according to chapter
Flexural rigidity.
b/
(2.7a) gives with z = h/2:
1: b < c The beam is considered to be narrow.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

15.33 (0.054/2 )
The beam is simply supported at both ends and the load is a concentrated load
f = 61 10 9 = 3.04 MPa W = 25 kg (245.5 N) at a = L/4 = 0.125 m.
8319.0
Find out tc and deflection at L/2 = 0.25 m. Solution according to chapter Flexural
(2.7b) gives with z = c/2: Rigidity.
15.33 (0.05/2 )
c = 130 10 6 = 6.00 kPa
8319.0 1: b c The beam is considered to be narrow.
(2.10) gives with z = 0: 2: The faces are of unequal thicknesses and therefore the flexural
rigidity shall be written as in (2.37).
61.31 0.002 0.052 130 10 6 0.05 2
c = 61 10 9 + = 23.68 kPa
8319.0 2 2 4 3: Condition (2.12) is checked (for the thinner face) in example 1and is fulfil

led.
7: Deflection
Elementary table gives: 4: Flexural rigidity.
Condition (2.3) is checked for both of the faces.
245.25 0.125
w1 (L/2 ) = 3 0.5 2 4 0.125 2 = 0.053 mm 0.053
= 13.25 > 5.77
0.053
= 26.50 > 5.77
48 8319.0 0.004 0.002
245.25 0.125
w2 (L/2 ) = = 0.119 mm The condition is fulfilled.Condition (2.4) is checked.
2 129 10 3
Total deflection: w = w1 + w2 = 0.17 mm 61 10 9 0.002 0.053 2
= 68.54 > 16.7
40 10 6 0.05 3
Example 7: Beam with concentrated load, simply supported ends and faces
which means that the condition is fulfilled for both of the faces.
of unequal thicknesses
Then the flexural rigidity is given by (2.38):
The same load case as in example 1, but now the faces are of unequal
thicknesses. The thickness of the upper face is still 2 mm but the lower is 4 mm. 2
The faces are made of aluminium 4054-7 and the core is made of Divinycell H 0.05 0.053 2 61 10 9 0.002 0.004

40. Measurements and properties: D= = 11.42 10 3 Nm 2
9 9
L = 0.5 m Ef = 61 GPa Ec = 40 MPa 61 10 0.002 + 61 10 0.004
b = 0.05 m tf1 = 2 mm Gc = 15 MPa
h = 0.056 m tf2 = 4 mm 5: Shear stiffness.
c = 0.05 m d = 0.053 m (2.16) gives:

Here the suffixes 1 and 2 represent the upper and the lower face respectively. V = bdG c = 0.05 0.053 15 10 6 = 39.75 10 3 N

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 EXAMPLES

6: a/Elementary table gives:

Q(L/2) = 61.31 N (see example 1)

b/c is according to chapter Beams with dissimilar faces given by (2.15):

61.31
c = = 23.14 kPa
0.05 0.053

7: Deflection.
Elementary table gives:
245.25 0.125
w 1 (L/2 )= 2 2
(3 0.5 4 0.125 ) = 0.038 mm
3
48 11.42 10

245.25 0.125
w2 (L/2 ) = 3
= 0.386 mm
2 39.75 10

Total deflection w: w = w1 + w2 = 0.42 mm.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR
ANALYSIS OF SANDWICH
ANALYSIS OF SANDWICH BY FEM PRESENTATION OF METHOD
In this chapter a metod to analyse sandwich stryctures by the Finite Element In principle a FEM-model of a sandwich structure can be built up in three different
Method (FEM) is presented. The method is general and can be peformed using ways.
any of the commercially available FE-codes.
a/ Both faces and core are modelled of solid elements.
To obtain the right stiffness in shear in the FEM-model the material properties of b/ The faces are modelled of shell elements and the core of solid elements.
the core have been modified according to the geometry of the sandwich. The These are shown in fig. 5.1.
method has been verified by comparing the results of a FEM-model of a panel to c/ Shell element with math model off shore.
analytical calculated displacements, stresses and buckling loads. There are also
verifying examples corresponding to the analytical examples in the chapter
Examples. If only solid elements are used the elements will have the same thickness as the
faces and the core respectively. The elements modelling the faces will be very
Sandwich panels have been treated in detail in chapter Sandwich panels. There extended, as the faces are thin. However, the solid elements give a better result
the following assumptions are made: if they are cubic, i.e. all sides have about the same length. Consequently a very
large number of elements is required if the sandwich has thin faces. Consequently
1. The stresses perpendicular to the plane of the panel are negligible both in the FE-model will have a great number of degrees of freedom and the calculation
the core and in the faces. time will be unacceptable.

2. The material in both the core and the faces is isotropic.

t
3. In most cases the modulus of elasticity in the core is so low that the cont-
ribution to bending stiffness is negligible.

4. The displacements are small, meaning that the theory of bending is valid. c d

5. The faces are thin compared to the core. This means that the local flexural
rigidity can be ignored and that c d (see fig. 5.1). t

Fig. 5.1 Different ways of modelling sandwich by FEM. To the left with solid elements and
to the right with a combination of solid elements and shell elements.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR
ANALYSIS OF SANDWICH
To avoid this problem and to reduce the number of degrees of freedom the model The stiffness in tension will be increased when the thickness of the core is
can be built up of shell elements representing the faces and of solids representing increased; the modulus of elasticity should be corrected in the same way which
the core. As the nodes of a shell element are located in a plane in the middle of gives:
the element they should be placed at distance (c + d)/2 from each other. This is
2c
in accordance with assumption no 5 in chapter Analysis of sandwich by FEM. E c,corr = Ec (5.2)
The shear stiffness of the core will be reduced as the thickness of the core has d+c
increased by (d c)/2 in the model. To compensate for this the shear modulus of
the core can be increased to obtain the right stiffness in shear. The corrected In reality the modulus of elasticity has a very small influence on the deflections
shear modulus is given by the following expression: of a sandwich structure. However, it must be noted that if the modulus of elasticity
and the shear modulus are corrected, the core material has to be modelled as
c + (d c)/2 d+c orthotropic ((the expression G = E/(2 (1+)) is not valid)). Poissons ratios for
G c,corr = Gc = Gc (5.1) faces and core respectively are assumed to be unaffected.
c 2c

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH CONCENTRATED LOAD AND SIMPLY SUPPORTED ENDS

W
Wb Wbx Wab
Q (x ) 01 = M (x ) 01 = Mmax = M1 = a b
L L L

Wa Wa (L - x )
Q (x ) 12 = M (x ) 12 =
1
L L 0 2

WLbx b2 x 2
w 1 (x )01 = 1 w 2 (x )0 1 =
Wbx
6D L2 L2 LV

+

WLa (L - x ) 2x a2 x 2 Wa (L - x )
Q
w 1 (x )12 = w 2 (x )12 =
6D L L2 L2 LV -

x
2 2
Wa b Wba
w 1 (a ) = w 2 (a ) =
3DL LV
M

w 1 (L / 2) =
Wa
48D
(
3L2 4a 2 ) w 2 (L / 2 ) =
Wa
2V +

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH UNIFORM PRESSURE AND SIMPLY SUPPORTED ENDS

L
Q (x ) = q x qLx qx 2
M (x ) = q
2 2 2

qL2
M (L/ 2) = Mmax =
8 x

w 1 (x ) =
qL3 x 2 3
1 2 x + x
w 2 (x ) =
q
2V
(
Lx x 2 ) +
Q
24D L2 L3
-

x
5qL4 qL2
w 1,max = w 2,max =
384D 8V
M

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH TRIANGLE LOAD AND SIMPLY SUPPORTED ENDS

qLx 2
qL qx 2 M (x ) = 1 x
Q (x ) =
6 2L 6 L2

qL2
M (1 /2) = M max = 0.064 qL2 when x = 0.577 L x
16

qL3 x 2 4 2
w 1 (x ) = 7 10 x + 3 x w2 (x ) = qLx 1 x
360D L2 L4 6V L2 +
Q

-
4
5qL
w 1 (1 /2) = w 2,max appears at x = 0.577 L
768D
x

M
qL4
w 1,max = 0.00652 at x = 0.519 L
D
+

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH CONCENTRATED LOAD, ONE SIMPLY SUPPORTED AND ONE CLAMPED END

W
a b
Wb 2 b Wb 2 a a
Q (x ) 01
= 3 M (a ) = 2 +
2L2 L 2 L
2L
1
2
Wa 2 2 0
Q (x ) 1 2
= 3 a M (L ) =
Wa 1 a
2L L2 2 L2

+
Q
Wb 2 x a a x2
w 1 (x ) 0 1
= 3 2 + 2
12D L L L -

Wb 2 x b
w 2 (x )01 = 3 x
2 L
2L V
M
Wa (L - x )2 a 2 a 2 x
w 1 (x ) 1 2
= 3 1 3 1 -
12D L2
L2 L

+

w 2 ,max = w 2 (a)

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH UNIFORM PRESSURE, ONE SIMPLY SUPPORTED AND ONE CLAMPED END

3qL gLx 3 x
Q (x ) = qx M (x ) = q
8 2 4 L

9 qL2
Mmax = M(L ) =
1
+ Mmax = qL2 at x = 0.375 L 0 x
128 8

qL3 x 2 3
w 1 (x ) = 1 3 x + 2 x 3qLx qx 2 +
w 2 (x ) =
Q

48D L2 L3 8V 2V
-

x M
4
qL
w 1,max = at x = 0.42 L
185D -

qL4
w 1 (L / 2) =
192D

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH TRIANGLE LOAD, ONE SIMPLY SUPPORTED AND ONE CLAMPED END

q
qL 1 2 1 2
Q (x ) = x M (x ) =
qLx x
2 5 L2 2 5 3L2

0 1
+ Mmax = 0.0298 qL2 at x = 0.447 L x

qL2
Mmax = M (L ) =
15 +
Q
-
qL3 x 2
1 2x + x
4 qL x x 3
w 1 (x ) = w 2 (x ) = +
120D L2 L4 2V 5 3L2
x
M

w 1, at x = 0.447 L -
max

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 BEAM WITH CONCENTRATED LOAD AND CLAMPED ENDS

Wb 2 2a Wab 2 Wb 2 x 2a
Q (x ) 01 = 1 + M (x ) 01 = + 1 + W
2
L L L2 L2 L a b

Wa 2 2b
Q (x ) 12 = 1 + 0
1
2 L 2
L
x

Wab 2 Wb 2 x 2a
M (x ) 12 = + 1 + W (x a )
L2 L2 L +
Q

Wax 2 a2 x a2 a3 -
a
w 1 (x ) 0 1 = 3 6 +3 1 3 + 2
6D L L2 a L2 L3

x

Wa 2L 4a
w 1 (L/2) = 3 when a L/2
48D L
M
- -

Wb 2 x 2a
w 2 (x )0 1 = 1 + +
VL2 L

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH UNIFORM PRESSURE AND CLAMPED ENDS

q
qL q L2
Q (x ) = qx M (x ) = Lx x 2
2 2 6
0 1
x
qL2 qL2
M (0 ) = M (L ) = M (L / 2) =
12 24

M = 0 at x = 0.21 L +
Q
-
2
qL2 x 2 x q (Lx x 2 )
w 1 (x ) = 1 w 2 (x ) =
24D L 2V x

M
qL4 qL2 - -
w 1,max = w1 (L/2 ) = w 2 (L/2 ) =
384D 8V +

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 ELEMENTARY TABLES

BEAM WITH TRIANGLE LOAD AND CLAMPED ENDS

qL 2
qL2 3
Q (x ) = 3 10 x M (x ) = - 2 + 9 x 10 x q
20 L2 60 L L3

qL2
+ Mmax = at x = 0.548 L 0 1
46.6 x

qL2
Mmax = M (L ) =
20 +
Q
-
M = 0 at x = 0.237 L and 0.808 L
x

qxL3 2x 3x 2 x 4 qL 3 M
w 1 (x ) = + w 2 (x ) = 3x 10 x - -
120D L L2 L4 20V 3 L2

+

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 NOTATIONS

a Length of panel N Edge load for panels

b Width of beam/panel Ni,ij Membrane forces
c Core thickness P Axial load
d Distance between centrelines of opposite faces Q Transverse force
e Width of core S First moment of area
ei Tensile strains U Strain energy
g 1uxuy V Shear stiffness
h Overall thickness of beam/panel Vi Potential energies
m,n Suffixes denoting mode of deformation W Point load
m; half-vawes in x-direction
n; half-vawes in y-direction Factor in buckling equations
q Distributed load (panels: uniform pressure) Constants for different Euler cases
t Face thickness Coefficients for calculating stresses and
v Used as a temporary variable in definition of equations deflection in a sandwich panel
w Deflection Shear strain
x, y, z Rectangular coordinates Curvature
Coefficient for magnitude of angle of deflection
A Area of cross-section Coefficient for magnitude of angle of deflection
Ai Cross-section coefficients for strain energies Poissons ratio
Bi,ij Modified shear stiffnesses Stiffness constant for panel
Ci Constants in derivation of equations Tensile/compressive stress
D Flexural rigidity Shear stress
E Moduli of elasticity Used in angle definitions in derivation of equations
G Moduli of rigidity (shear moduli)
H Potential energy Displacement at a certain point
I Second moment of area Quantity for panel bending equations
K Buckling coefficient
L Span
Mi Bending moment
Mij Twisting moment

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK

 REFERENCES

1 H.G. Allen Analysis and design of structural sandwich panels. Pergamon
press, 1969.
2 J-F Jansson, K-A Olsson, S Srelius: Fiberarmerad hrdplast 1.
Ingenjrsfrlaget AB, 1979.
3 J-F Jansson, K-A Olsson, S Srelius: Fiberarmerad hrdplast 2.
Ingenjrsfrlaget AB, 1980.
4 E Ahlenius: Sandwichkonstruktioner. Stlbyggnadsinstitutet, publikation
111, 1988.
5 V. Gamziukas, L Samuelsson: Buckling of sandwich panels subjected
to axial compression, shear forces and lateral pressure. FFA, report 132,
1977.
9 D. Zenkert, K-A Olsson: DP-Sandwich The utilization of thin high-
strength steel sheets in compression. Thin-Walled structures p 99-117,
v 7, 1989.
10 K.M Rao: Buckling coefficients for fiber-reinforced plastics-faced sand
wich plates under combined loading. AIAA Journal v 25, nr. 5, May 1987.
11 D. Weissman-Berman: Preliminary design method for FRP sandwich-
cored panels. SNAME Spring meeting/STAR Symposium, May 1985.
12 Utdrag ur Handboken Bygg 1A, Instutionen fr Marin Konstruktionstek
nik och Avdelningen fr Hllfasthetslra CTH, augusti 1984, (januari 1986).
13 Utdrag ur Handboken Bygg 1B, Instutionen fr Marin Konstruktionstek
nik och Avdelningen fr Hllfasthetslra CTH, augusti 1984, (januari 1986)

6 C.B. Norris: Compressive buckling curves for sandwich panels with 14
isotropic facings and isotropic or othotropic cores. FPL report 1854,
revised January 1958.
15
7 W.J. Kommers, C.B. Norris: Effects of shear deformation in the core of a
flat rectangular sandwich panel. Stiffness of flat panels of sandwich
construction subjected to uniformly distributed loads normal to their 16
surfaces simply supported edges. FPL report 1583-A, revised 1962.
17
8 W.S Ericksen, H.W March: Effects of shear deformation in the core of a
flat rectangular sandwich panel. Compressive buckling of sandwich panels 18
having dissimilar facings of unequal thickness. FPL report 1583-B,
revised November 1958.
J Hult: Bra brista, Grundkurs i hllfasthetslra. Almqvist & Wiksell fr-
lag AB, Stockholm 1975 (1979).
J Hult: Bra brista, Fortsttningskurs i hllfasthetslra. Nordstedts fr-
lag, Stockholm 1986.
A Ulfvarsson: Buckling och knckning. KTH 1980.
DIAB AB: Divinycell, konstruktionscellplast. Informationsmaterial.
M Heder: Analys av sandwich med finit elementmetod. Instutionen fr
Marin Konstruktionsteknik, 1989.

DIAB SANDWICH HANDBOOK