Review of Sandwich Beams with Functionally Graded Core

An elasticity solution is obtained for a sandwich beam with a functionally graded core subjected to transverse loads. The sandwich is subdivided into four elements, the top and bottom face-sheets, and top and bottom halves of the sandwich core. Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is used to model the face-sheets and plane elasticity equations are used to analyze the core. The Young’s modulus of the core is varied exponentially through the thickness (from E0 at mid-plane to Eh at the core/ face-sheet interface) and the Poisson’s ratio is kept constant. The exponential variation of elastic stiffness coefficients allows exact elasticity solution for the problem. The equations of each element are expressed in terms of the surface tractions and displacements. By enforcing the compatibility of the tractions and displacement at the interfaces the complete solution for displacements and stresses in the beam are obtained. It is shown that the functionally graded core reduces the core/ face-sheet interface shear stress (τ xz). The normal stress (σ zz) varies linearly through the thickness and is independent of the variation in core properties. KeywordsFunctionally Graded Material, FGMs beam, Sandwich Beam, Reinforced FGCMs.