Static Flexure of Soft Core Sandwich Beams using Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory

This study deals with the applications of a trigonometric shear deformation theory considering the effect of the transverse shear deformation on the static flexural analysis of the soft core sandwich beams. The theory gives realistic variation of the transverse shear stress through the thickness, and satisfies the transverse shear stress free conditions at the top and bottom surfaces of the beam. The theory does not require a problem-dependent shear correction factor. The governing differential equations and the associated boundary conditions of the present theory are obtained using the principle of the virtual work. The closed-form solutions for the beams with simply supported boundary conditions are obtained using Navier solution technique. Several types of sandwich beams are considered for the detailed numerical study. The axial displacement, transverse displacement, normal and transverse shear stresses are presented in a non-dimensional form and are compared with the previously published results. The transverse shear stress continuity is maintained at the layer interface, using the equilibrium equations of elasticity theory.