Accurate predictions of bending deflections for soft-core sandwich beams subject to concentrated loads

Although computationally simple and physically perceptible, the formula for bending deflections used by the classical sandwich theory is inaccurate when applied to sandwich beams with a transversely flexible (soft) core. Two correction factors to the classical deflection formula for sandwich beams are proposed based on the higher-order theory (HSAPT) approach. The influence of changes in the geometry and mechanical properties of soft-core sandwich beams on the proposed correction factors are studied numerically. The use of the correction factors reported in the present work offers a simple and accurate way of calculating the bending deflections in soft-core sandwich beams subject to quasi-static concentrated loads, and as such can provide a valuable tool for the designer.The proposed approach also can be used for accurate determination of the core shear modulus from the measurement of compliance in short beam shear tests of sandwich beams.