Static and dynamic finite element analysis of honeycomb sandwich structures

The extensive use of honeycomb sandwich structures has led to the need to understand and analyze their low velocity impact response. Commercially available finite element software provides a possible analysis tool for this type of problem, but the validity of their material properties models for honeycomb materials must be investigated. Three different problems that focus on the effect of differences in honeycomb material properties on static and dynamic response are presented and discussed. The first problem considered is a linear elastic static analysis of honeycomb sandwich beams. The second is a nonlinear elastic-plastic analysis of a circular honeycomb sandwich plate. The final problem is a dynamic analysis of circular honeycomb sandwich plates impacted by low velocity projectiles. Results are obtained using the ABAQUS final element code and compared against experimental results. The comparison indicates that currently available material properties models for honeycomb materials can be used to obtain a good approximation of the behavior of honeycomb sandwich structures under static and dynamic loading conditions.