Edge effects on sandwich composite by analytical, finite element, and experimental approach

Knowledge of edge effects in composite with honeycomb cores is essential for the design of sandwich structures. This paper deals with the measurement of strain by the application of reflection photoelasticity. Because of the geometry of honeycomb cores a classical method by strain gages is inaccurate and unsuitable. The measurements by photoelasticity is compared to an analytical and numerical results. The final aim of this work is to determine the behavior of such structures by the exact knowledge of its mechanical properties deduced in part from edge effect results.