An advanced high-order theory for bending analysis of moderately thick faced sandwich beams

An advanced high order sandwich panel theory (AHSAPT) for bending analysis of moderately thick faced sandwich beams with soft core is introduced. In this new theory, stress compatibility conditions at the interface are satisfied. The transverse shear stresses and the transverse normal stresses vanish on the top and bottom surfaces. Considering mentioned concepts improves high order sandwich panel theories for bending analysis of moderately thick faced sandwich panels. Comparison of transverse stresses at the top and bottom interfaces due to the AHSAPT and high order sandwich panel theories indicates that the discontinuity of the transverse stresses at the top and bottom interfaces are significant for the thickness ratio of the face sheet to the core more than 0.1. So, it is important to apply the presented theory for static analysis of moderately thick faced sandwich panels. The results of analytical solutions are compared with experimental data as well as the results of finite element simulation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.