Prediction and measurement of some dynamic properties of sandwich structures with honeycomb and foam cores

Some dynamical properties of sandwich beams and plates are discussed. The types of elements investigated are three-layered structures with lightweight honeycomb or foam cores with thin laminates bonded to each side of the core. A six order differential equation governing the apparent bending of sandwich beams is derived using Hamilton's principle. Bending, shear and rotation are considered. Boundary conditions for free, clamped and simply supported beams are formulated. The apparent bending stiffness of sandwich beams is found to depend on the frequency and the boundary conditions for the structure. Simple measurements on sandwich beams are used to determine the bending stiffness of the entire structure and at the same time the bending stiffness of the laminates as well as the shear stiffness of the core. A method for the prediction of eigenfrequencies and modes of vibration are presented. Eigen frequencies for rectangular and orthotropic sandwich plates are calculated using the Rayleigh-Ritz technique assuming frequency dependent material parameters. Predicted and measured results are compared. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.