Dynamics of geometrically exact sandwich structures (Q1384368)

The high strength/weight ratio of sandwich structures offers important applications in engineering. To develop a finite element method taking into account this feature, the authors consider the cross-section in a deformed beam as continuous piecewise-linear. Each layer may have different material properties and different thickness. The equations of plane deformation of a three-layer beam contain five unknown kinematic quantities: two displacements and three angles of rotation of cross-section for every layer, i.e. one has five variables for three-layer beam. The finite element formulation for the dynamics of geometrically exact sandwich beam is implemented used either linear or quadratic finite element basic functions. The sandwich beam having three identical layers is compared with an equivalent single-layer beam. As an another example, the authors consider the sandwich frame subjected to tip impact force. The simulation examples involve the finite deformation vibration and the response to an impact force of sandwich beams, the harmonic excitation of a cantilever sandwich beam with finite deformation, and a simply supported ideal sandwich beam with overhangs subjected to a force at the middle of the beam. The difference in results for sandwich beams and for equivalent single-layer beams is discussed.