Stability Investigations of Variable Core Sandwich

Abstract

The results of experimental investigations comparing the local stability of sandwich plates with variable and constant core densities are presented. The effects of density changes in the cores of the tested sandwich plates are shown. A method of realizing one-directional compression in the plane of the facings is described. Maximal loads carried and light-weight ratios are compared showing that sandwich plates with variable densities through the core thickness are able to carry greater compressive loads, even if they are of the same weight and require the same quantity of material as classical sandwich plates with constant core properties. A comparison of the results of the experimental investigations of sandwich plates having variable core densities with a previously published analytical formula is presented.