Optimum Design Methods for Structural Sandwich Panels

Structural sandwich panels are composed of two thin, stiff skins separated by a light weight core. The faces are typically strong materials such as aluminum fiber reinforced composites, while honeycombs or foams are used in the core. The separation of the faces increase the moment of inertia of the panel with minimum increase in weight. Because of this, these panels are extremely efficient in bending and are used in applications where the weight of the member is critical: aircraft, marine, and land vehicles; portable structures; construction in remote areas; roofing shells; and some types of sports equipment (e.g., modern downhill skis). In all of these, the mechanical behavior of the sandwich panel depends on the strength and stiffness of the face and the core, on the geometry of the panel (the core and face thicknesses), and on the bond strength between the faces and the core. The goal of this research is to determine the core density as well as the core and face thicknesses that minimize the weight of a sandwich panel for given structural requirements. This will improve the minimum design of structural sandwich panels in a manner not previously possible.