On the minimum weights of compression structures

The weights of optimal compression structures of several types are estimated[ Minimum weights of columns having solid square or circular cross!sections are compared with those of similar metal foam!_lled tubes\ hollow tubes and tubes whose walls are foam!core sandwiches[ Similarly\ the minimum "of near! minimum# weights of wide sandwich compression panels are studied along with those of hat!sti}ened\ solid! skin panels and panels in which the skins and sti}eners are themselves metal foam!core sandwiches[ In these studies\ weight comparisons are made on the basis of appropriate structural indices and compressive strength is the only failure criterion[ These studies provide baseline comparisons that ignore other possible design constraints\ such as longitudinal sti}ness\ minimum gage and cost[