Failure mode analysis and optimal design of compression sandwich panels

Aim. To reduce the weight of sandwich panels, using the SQP algorithm, we carried out an optimal design of its geometrical dimension and relative density of metal foams under the constraint conditions of no occurrence of any failure modes of compression sandwich panels. Based on Budiansky's research work in Ref.2, with the influence of transverse shear on buckling and the non-linear relationship between elastic modulus and relative density of metal foams taken into further consideration, we studied the buckling of compression sandwich panel and analyzed various failure modes of compression sandwich panel. Meanwhile, we designed two new panel geometries for higher load-carrying capacity (see Fig.1(e), 1(g)). Finally, we compared the load-carrying capacities of the seven panel geometries, which are enhanced by optimizing the panels' geometrical dimensions and relative density or improving their geometries. The optimal design results show preliminarily that the optimal relative density of metal foams should be 0.03689 and that sandwich panels should have the improved stiffened hat-shape cross-section (Fig.Kg)).