An examination of a higher order theory for sandwich beams

Sandwich construction is known to provide high stiffness with light weight. Lower modulus cores, such as characteristic of the expanded polymers used in commercial applications, require a more refined analytical treatment. A higher order theory for sandwich beams available in the literature is investigated in the present paper, and applied to a number of sandwich beam problems of interest. The application of this theory reveals certain features of the solution process that must be addressed. The results show significant stress concentrations in both the core and the faces at load application and support points. These stress-concentrations are revealed by the higher order theory, and are important in design. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.