Numerical analysis of the stiffness and strength of regular hexagonal honeycombs with plateau borders

Numerical analysis for the stiffness and strength of regular hexagonal honeycombs with non-uniform thickness cell edges is presented here. The non-uniform cross-section of cell edges is taken to be a Plateau border. Then, the effects of solid distribution in cell edges on the stiffness and strength of regular hexagonal honeycombs are numerically investigated using finite element analysis. Results indicate that the stiffness and strength of regular hexagonal honeycombs are affected significantly by the solid distribution in cell edges, consistent with the findings of existing variable-thickness cell-edge models. However, it is also found that the difference between existing theoretical models and finite element analysis results becomes larger when the relative density of regular hexagonal honeycombs and the solid distribution in cell edges are increased. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.