3D elasticity analysis of sandwich panels with graded core under distributed and concentrated loadings

• Published in: International journal of mechanical sciences 2011-10, Vol.53 (10), p.872-885
• Main Authors: Woodward, B., Kashtalyan, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Elasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Functionally graded material; Functionally gradient materials; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hydrostatic load; Hydrostatics; Line load; Panels; Physics; Point load; Sandwich construction; Solid mechanics; Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...); Stress concentration; Structural and continuum mechanics; Three dimensional; Three-dimensional analysis; Uniformly distributed load; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 0020-7403; 1879-2162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2011.07.011

Sandwich panels are a type of panel offering weight savings over standard single layer panels, whilst remaining both strong and stiff. However, due to the mismatch of properties between the face sheets and the core, stress concentrations can occur at the face sheet/core interfaces, often leading to delamination. One possible solution to this problem is the introduction of a functionally graded core—a core in which the properties vary gradually from the face sheets to the centre, eliminating any abrupt changes in properties. This paper presents a three-dimensional elasticity analysis for a sandwich panel with stiffness of the core graded in the thickness direction, on the basis of the recently developed 3D elasticity solution. A comparative study of panels with homogeneous and functionally graded cores is carried out to examine the effect of introducing a graded core on the stress and displacement fields under five different loading configurations (uniformly distributed, patch, point, hydrostatic and line). ► The effect of graded core on stress and displacement fields in the panel is examined. ► Use of graded core removes discontinuity of stresses at the interfaces and decreases displacements for all load types. ► It significantly reduces stress concentrations occurring in the upper section of the panel under point and line loadings.