Minimum Weight Design of Flat Sandwich Panels under Edgewise Compression Loads

摘要

An approach to the optimum design of flat, rectangular sandwich panels subjected to edgewise compression loading has been developed. Using a nonlinear programming method called the Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique, the design parameters characteristic of sandwich construction are determined so that the final panel configuration is not just an acceptable design, but is the best acceptable design as far as total panel weight is concerned. The design parameters are the individual thicknesses of the top and bottom face sheets and of the core, the cell size and foil thickness of honeycomb core, and the density of foam core. The acceptable ranges of the design parameters are limited by constraints which ensure, for example, that the thicknesses are within minimum and maximum limits, that the faces do not yield, wrinkle, or dimple, and that the panel does not buckle. Possible panel loads are edgewise compression in two directions.