THE DERIVATION OF EQUIVALENT CONSTITUTIVE-EQUATIONS OF HONEYCOMB STRUCTURES BY A 2-SCALE METHOD

This paper evaluates the equivalent transverse shear and in-plane moduli of honeycomb cellular structures. The derivation is based upon a two scale method for the homogenization of periodic media. The equivalent two dimensional constitutive equations are evaluated analytically in terms of their geometry and material properties. The present results compare well with some of the existing analytical results obtained by conventional approaches and show the errors of some of the earlier results. The present method is a systemetic and rational technique for the homogenization of periodically inhomogeneous media. It allows us to derive the equivalent mechanical properties of honeycombs systemetically for the analysis and design of cellular structures of honeycomb. The structural efficiency of honeycombs will also be discussed.