Buckling of sandwich panels with a flexible core. -- High-order theory (Q1282617)

We examine the buckling behavior of sandwich panels with a core that is flexible in the out-of-plane direction, also denoted as ``soft'' core including high-order effects. The buckling analysis consists in the formulation of linear and the nonlinear governing equations along with the boundary conditions. The sandwich panel construction is general and consists of two skin-panels, metallic or composite laminated symmetrically that may be different, and a flexible isotropic or orthotropic core made of foam or a low strength honeycomb. The analysis uses a high-order theory formulation, which permits nonlinear distortions of the cross-section plane of the core as well as changes in its height. The analysis determines the bifurcation loads along with the associated mode shapes, local or overall buckling modes, as well as deformations, internal resultants and stresses at skin-core interface layers due to imperfections.