Nonlinear closed-form high-order analysis of curved sandwich panels

Closed-form high-order theory of sandwich panel, including transverse flexibility and shear rigidity of a core, as well as geometrical nonlinearity of unsymmetric faces is generalized for sandwich panels of constant curvature. Variational calculus is used to derive the set of governing equations describing a stress-deformation response of the panel to arbitrary loads. Boundary conditions are presented both in the local and global formulations. The procedure for the numerical solution of the governing nonlinear differential equations is based on the finite-difference method with deferred corrections. The solution technique is illustrated through numerical examples. Influence of the geometrical nonlinearity on the overall behaviour of the sandwich panel and localized effects are demonstrated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.